Swamped

"What could they have done?"

It takes you a moment to realize you said that instead of just thinking that. In that moment, the lizard starts doing some very elaborate actions.

"Have done! Have done!" it shouts. As it... dances? While doing something with its forelegs?

Wait. You're not sure about the dancing part, maybe it's just excited. But a closer look at the motions of its forelegs suggest it's... digging.

"So did this person dig something out of the ground?"

"No! Out of the ground! No!"

Well, that suggests...

"Did they bury something, then?"

"Yes! Bury!"

And now you think you understand why the lizard was dancing, it was trying to indicate the spot. You walk over, and the lizard steps aside while you start digging through the sand. Maybe the figurine is here?

No. You can't tell what this is. It's a strange metal sphere.

And considering you have no idea what it is, you don't know if you should pick it up or just leave it. But at least you know where it is... if you mark the spot somehow.

But how might you do that?