UPDATE: The Hidden Sun is Released
Learn more here: SIX QUESTIONS MORE
Ben Brewis is offering the opportunity to jump into an exciting world of exploration with the chance to find real life treasure! How incredible! He has created a beautifully illustrated armchair treasure hunt book entitled, ‘The Hidden Sun’. This book consists of clues leading to a unique gold and jewel encrusted prize.
The Hidden Sun treasure hunt is currently on Kickstarter. Please pledge your support to bring this extraordinary project to action. It’s certain, that upon its release, searchers will embark on a thrilling adventure. Will the Treasure be claimed? Let’s learn more! Enjoy!
Six Questions with Ben:
- 1Q) You mention as a kid how you were captivated by Kit Williams’ armchair treasure hunt book, Masquerade. This hunt was released in 1979 and had searchers looking for buried treasure across the country sides of England. Does The Hidden Sun lead to buried treasure or how does one claim the prize in your wonderful adventure? Can anyone partake in the mission to find the lost treasure?
First of all, thank you Jenny for letting me talk about my labour of love for the past few years. During this time I’ve managed to read as much as I can about previous hunts and their impact on the people and places involved. I’ve realised it’s way riskier to offer a buried treasure – no matter where it’s placed it would probably be illegal to dig there these days. Only recently, archeologists forced Cadbury UK (that created the 80’s ‘Conundrum’ Creme Egg hunt) to backtrack on an ad campaign saying there’s real hidden Roman treasure at specific ancient sites, fearing an army of detectorists ruining historical areas.
For a long time I considered hiding the prize just out of view and above ground, but England can be a cramped place and the risk of it being discovered outside the hunt is too great.
So in the spirit of being truly ‘Armchair’ and open it to international audiences, yes anyone can partake in the hunt. All a searcher needs to do is email two things using clues from the book; a Location and a Password. The first person to correctly email these in together, will be sent the prize.
2Q) A Kickstarter campaign (LINK DELETED/UPDATE) has been launched for The Hidden Sun Treasure Hunt. What are some different ways searchers can show their support and help bring this hunt to life?
I initially only wanted to create a hardback book, something you can hold, study and get lost in – like in the days before electronic devices. International shipping is not as cheap as it once was so I added a digital option. I really wanted people to have a choice depending on their budget.
Right now the cheapest way to grab a copy is to buy an ebook version for around $10 or £8.
One hardback book + ebook is around $33 or £25, +shipping.
Two hardback books + ebook + 3x A5 hand-finished art cards, go for around $55 or £42, +shipping.
- 3Q) Treasure hunting is a compelling hobby. Once hooked, it seems a person will always be on the Quest. They believe there are treasures, of all different types, out there waiting to be found! Before creating The Hidden Sun Treasure Hunt, had you worked on any other armchair treasure hunts? Or what other types of treasures have you found, or enjoyed searching for, over the years?
It sure is compelling! I spent a good part of 2018 dedicated to Forrest Fenn’s ‘The Thrill of the Chase’… I am convinced I have the right area… just like everyone else no doubt. That hunt in particular has taught me a lot about human behaviour and the need to create boundaries that searchers should be able to work in. Also to think outside of default thought processes.
I’ve not yet been victorious on any hunt as they tend to be the big-ticket ones. I tried James Frey’s £1m Endgame book but it was really tough to decipher. One clue involved creating origami from images in the book. As mentioned before I read Masquerade as a child yet I recently acquired his friend Bamber Gascoigne’s book about the hunt, called ‘Quest for the Golden Hare’. It’s an excellent read if you can get a copy. There was The Merlin Mystery but I didn’t have much time to dedicate to that aged 21. I loved the Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ hunt. It included a golden egg hidden not far from me at the ancient Rollright stone circle.
In fact where I live is unofficially named Banburyshire; an area rich in history close to Warwick Castle, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, the dreaming spires of Oxford and the beautiful Cotswolds. The area has a fair share of Masonic, Templar and even Roman influence. Ancient Roman roads, villas and hoards of gold and silver have been found nearby. A villa the size of Buckingham Palace was discovered only half a mile from me just last year. If all goes well with the book, the first thing I’d like to treat myself to is a metal detector!
So the Hidden Sun is not pure fiction, as the traces of real places and events could be found if you chose to dig deeper into the places involved in the story and poems. This is why I created banburyshire.co.uk, a travel website for the local area and its history.
- 4Q) What inspired you to produce The Hidden Sun Armchair Treasure Hunt? What did you enjoy most about crafting the prize, shaping the clues, and creating the treasure hunt?
I wanted to open people up to the sensation of discovery. There’s nothing like the rush of an answer popping into view, knowing you’ve cracked it. I’m sure other hunt devisers will agree that even whilst researching the clues you’ll get synchronistic eureka moments that lead you to exclaim “what are the chances!”.
You have to manage people’s thinking, keep everything logical but include space for imagination. It’s a fascinating process.
For the prize I wanted a beautiful object to represent the mythology of the hunt; the cosmic and nature worship of the Druids, Celts, Greeks or Romans. I’ll share the final assembly of the prize very soon and will add to it’s value if all goes well.
- 5Q) You have mentioned, if I understand correctly, that even though a location in the UK offers clues to solving the puzzle, the same can be realized in the USA. Can you explain more how no one has an advantage over another for discovering the Location and Password to solve the puzzle? Is a person from the USA just as likely to solve the puzzle as someone from the UK? Do they use the same method?
I wanted to get people in the area to get outdoors and explore their surroundings, but I incorporated two ways for it to be solved in case they can’t. No matter if you’re in the USA, the UK or anywhere, then you can find all the answers within the book.
The Location of The Hidden Sun is discovered using 24 clues and illustrations that refer to 24 physical objects hiding in plain sight around the Banburyshire area. For example (and with no spoilers); Ulysses, Cross, Elephant, Leprechaun. Each poem will help describe what you’re looking for. The first letters of these objects or names will give you the rough Location, where the Password physically resides (if you wanted to go look for yourself).
There are many historical ties to the USA in Banburyshire, for example Benjamin Franklin’s grandfather is buried in our local church, but I’d be giving too much away if I mention any more. So I’ve placed twelve sketched puzzles or ciphers to solve based on these UK/USA connections. Following these clues will lead you to the same Password, which is also displayed in an American city for confirmation (if you wanted to go look for yourself).
There are two ways to solve both the Location and Password; boots on the ground or in the book. The method is distinctly different for each. Time will tell which way is quicker. I’m not ruling out using search engines, Google Maps or Earth to help confirm findings if you need.
- 6Q) The artwork of The Hidden Sun is beautiful. It really is exceptional. How long have you been an artist? Where else might we be able to find your work? And what other activities do you enjoy when not immersed in the world of treasure hunting?
Thank you so much for the kind words. I’ve been creating in some way, shape or form since I could hold a crayon. I’m not great at drawing what is in my head, so at college I started creating digital art and photo manipulations, adding rich textures and elements in a more intuitive way – painting with pixels. A couple of animated pieces have exhibited around the world with the Lumen Prize which was amazing. The style for this book was influenced by the late designer Storm Thorgerson who designed the Dark Side of the Moon album cover among many others.
I’m putting the finishing touches to my online art store which will be at my portfolio site firesnake.com in the coming weeks. I’ve picked up my paintbrush again to create limited edition wooden paintings – some of which relate to The Hidden Sun – using the blackest paint available in the world (absorbs 99% of light), with gold leaf and glow in the dark elements for a truly mystical look.
When I’m not creating or running around after my kids, I like to mountain bike in the countryside for a little peace and quiet. I used to DJ but that lifestyle is too hectic for me these days, so producing music mixes at home is another way to get a creative fix. Reading about ancient history is another pastime which has helped expand my horizons.
I hope to carry on devising hunts on different levels so will let you good folks know if and when that happens. Best of luck in your search!
I’m so looking forward to this hunt, Ben! Thanks for taking part in Six Questions and helping us to get to know more about the hunt and you. All very intriguing and wonderful. You are offering a stunning adventure! Thank you.