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| The landscape of New England
is rough and rocky, the climate sometimes erratic and
wildly changing but often temperate. The undulating
streams and rivers of this mostly forested corner of the
world have carved countless valleys in the rocky
underpinnings, places of sudden beauty and mystery,
waiting for discovery.
Glen Ellis Falls, New Hampshire The earliest human residents of eastern North America were undoubtedly inspired by the lithic land in which they lived, and using these abundant stones built monuments of unknown purposes which we can find today, and wonder on. Intriguing coincidence of structure (and perhaps purpose?) can be seen with other ancient stone edifices found throughout the world, most predominantly in the British Isles. Theories abound as to why so many disparate Neolithic and prehistoric peoples directed their energies and purpose toward building these monuments, and why so many of these look so much alike, despite separation of distance and time. Some believe these structures and carvings are merely curious early European colonial farming vestiges. |
My hometown along coastal Connecticut is in many ways picture-postcard New England. I live near beaches which are mostly rocky, but then offer sudden stretches of smooth sand: part of the dichotomy of the New England landscape. The ubiquitous stone walls are ever part of the background, a legacy of Europeans who tried to tame the land. These are especially visible in late Fall, after all the glorious leaves have dropped. Drive along any road in New England and the hills around you are criss-crossed with these stone works. Sometimes, though, if you delve a little more, you can find evidence of the earliest inhabitants of New England. Most times these rock works can be directly credited to the Native Americans of that particular area. For instance, in the East Lyme, Connecticut vicinity where I live, there are several 'rocking boulders', large free-standing boulders which rest upon or against rocky ledges or out-croppings. When these boulders are 'rocked' by one or more people rhythmically pushing on them, a loud booming noise is created because of the underlying ledge, a noise which can sometimes carry for miles. These are believed to have been used as a form of long-distance communication among the woodland natives, since the 'smoke signals' of the Western Plains peoples would not be useful in the heavily-treed and valleyed landscape here. Other rock works are more intriguing and less open to easy explanation, and sometimes local legend comes into play. The question of early Viking explorers visiting some parts of New England also lends an air of mystery to some sites. This by no means complete look at mysterious lithic monuments, carvings and sites around New England is merely an extension of my interest in ancient circles, standing stones and structures such as Stonehenge and Newgrange. Although I find them fascinating, and am amazed at their ingenuity of structure, I don't personally associate these lithic edifices with supernatural or other-worldly origin. Theories about 'ley lines' are just too contrived to me. Feel free to embrace what beliefs you will about these wondrous monuments, though. Since none came with a 'Read Me' document, we are free to interpret them as we wish! >>Explore some sites around New England<< Maine / New Hampshire / Vermont / Massachusetts / Rhode Island / Connecticut >><<
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Further reading and Bibliography Sign Guest book and Submit a Mysterious Lithic Site
~*~*~*~*~ Please sign my Guest Book so I know of your visit. You are welcome to share information you have about appropriate websites, books or resources on the topic of unusual stone formations, carvings, etc.
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