America's Stonehenge - A New Theory
The America's Stonehenge archaeological site is located on the summit of Mystery Hill in North Salem, NH. It consists of enigmatic stone chambers, standing stones, niches, drains, and astronomical alignments. Who built these stone structures and for what purpose?
The professional archaeological community has long argued that the site was built by an eccentric farmer who built his house on the hill between 1825 and 1850. Other researchers have proposed that the site was built by Irish Monks. Both of these theories, although quite popular, have been disproven by the archaeological evidence. Stone tools used to quarry the bedrock and shape stones for the some of the earliest structures were C-14 dated to 3000 years ago. This means the site began construction well before Irish Monk starting building religious communities, and certainly predates any 19th century farmers by over three thousand years. Who else could have built this site?
Archaeology has discovered two groups of artifacts and other evidence at the site. The first group of artifacts dates from the 1800's though the early 1900's. All this evidence is associated with the Pattee homestead on the site (circa 1825-1850) and later picnickers from the early 1900's. The second group of artifacts and other evidence spans from 3000 years ago through the 1600's. All of this evidence is associated with Native American activity on the site. It consists of various stone tools used for quarrying, shards of Native American pottery made and used on the site, petroglyphs (rock carvings), pecked & abraded grooved drains, and other Native American artifacts. The evidence overwhelmingly points in one direction - the site was built by Native Americans.
What was the purpose of these stone structures? Like all cultures worldwide, the Native Americans had their own religious traditions. These religious beliefs involved holding ceremonies with various spirits. They created astronomical alignments to mark the date that a ceremony was to be held and also as a means to call the Sun Spirit into their ceremonies. They carved drains in the bedrock to pour sacred water into during ceremonies. They built stone chambers to hold other important ceremonies.
The theory that America's Stonehenge was built by Native Americans is based upon an exhaustive four year study of the site. This study is carefully documented in the book America's Stonehenge Deciphered.
Not sure what theory to believe? Then take a tour of the site and see for yourself. America's Stonehenge is open year round to visitors (admission fee is charged). For an in depth self-guided tour of the site based upon this new research checkout A Guide to America's Stonehenge pamphlet ($4.95) before your trip. Can't travel to the site in person? Take a tour of the site with a 40 minute documentary film, America's Stonehenge: The History of a Sacred Place.
Mary Gage and James Gage (mother & son research team) are co-authors of several books on stone quarrying, historic carved stones, America's Stonehenge, and Native American stone structures in Northeastern United States.
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