The Newport Tower
Medieval stone tower ... in Rhode Island. Does it look like any other Colonial structure you've seen? Recent carbon dating of the mortar indicates 1400s construction date (see post below).
The Westford Knight Sword
Medieval Battle Sword ... in Westford, Massachusetts. Can anyone deny the pommel, hilt and blade punch-marked into the bedrock?
The Spirit Pond Rune Stone
Medieval Inscription ... in Maine, near Popham Beach. Long passed off as a hoax, but how many people know the Runic language? And how is it that some of the Runic characters match rare runes on inscriptions found in Minnesota and Rhode Island? Carbon-dating of floorboards at nearby long house date to 1405.
The Narragansett Rune Stone
Medieval Inscription ... in Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay. This Runic inscription is only visible for twenty minutes a day at low tide--is this also the work of a modern-day, Runic-speaking hoaxster?
The Westford Boat Stone
Medieval Ship Carving ... in Westford, MA. Found near the Westford Knight site. Weathering patterns of carving are consistent with that of 600-year-old artifact. And why would a Colonial trail-marker depict a knorr, a 14th-century ship?
The Kensington Rune Stone
Medieval Inscription... in Minnesota. Forensic geology confirms the carvings predate European settlement of Minnesota--so did Runic-speaking Native Americans carve it?
The Hooked X Rune
Medieval Runic Character ... on inscriptions found in Maine, Minnesota and Rhode Island. But this rare rune was only recently found in Europe. This conclusively disproves any hoax theory while also linking these three artifacts together.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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27 comments:
Sorry I missed you! I was co-coordinator of the RI chapter of Neara. One day I called a fellow Neara member and said "lets see if we can find this rock...". I knew that first day that we had found something that would enter the debate re Runic inscriptions in America, esp. with that hooked X, although I didn't know it by that name of course. Looking forward to seeing the Narragansett Runestone on the History Channel.
Damn exciting research to be sure!
Wait, so you found the Narragansett Rune Stone??? I love the fact that it's so inaccesible and only visible 20 minutes per day--it makes the inscription completely inconsistent with a hoax or folly.
History Channel special is set to run Sept 20, 8:00.
Dave
Hi Dave. There's a brief summation of the circumstances of discovery at the bottom of this Neara page: http://www.neara.org/bochnak/phototour.htm It was known very, very locally. On the first visit it was out of the water entirely! Must have been a moon low tide that day. I haven't been there in perhaps 5 years, and had no idea is was underwater for all but 20 minutes. Yes, very inaccesable, but now I'm very worried about erosion given the circumstances.
I guess I'm going to talk to our state archaeologist about this, though moving it would face perhaps insurmontable challenges.
Of the 5 runestones from North America displaying the Hooked X, only the Narragansett stone is unprotected from the elements.
Charlie Devine
Charlie, if you could speak to the state archeologist (Paul Robison, I think?), that would be great. We need RI residents to push hard on this!
Dave, I know Paul Robinson. I'm going to email him and alert him to the documentary, if he doesn't already know about it. He may hear from alot of Rhode Islanders after it airs, so I should give him a heads up. I will also bring up the subject of protection.
Charlie
So does anybody know where exactly the Narrgansett Stone is???
The Narragansett stone is about 100feet offshore, on private property in East Greenwich. Not accessible to the public. Only visible at low tide by wading out in waist-deep water.
Hi David, I believe that in Rhode Island the shoreline is public property and accessible 6 feet above the high tide line. Can you give a specific location of the Narragansett Stone?
Run Dog Farm:
It's off the shoreline in East Greenwhich. Sorry, I don't have GPS coordinates and I've only been there once, so I'm not the best person to guide you there...
It's pretty easy to find, guys - look at the pictures and figure it out - the house in the pictures makes it simple. We've been there twice since the show and taken a lot of pictures of it. And it is visible for much longer than 20 minutes - more like 1 hour each low tide. Take a skiff and see for yourselves. What's to prevent someone from destroying it, though?
When I located the stone in 1985, I kept the location secret for the very reason that vandalism is always a possibility the more people know it's location. Its' isolated location is its best protection at the moment The New England Antiquities Research Association(NEARA) has conducted field trips to the location,but the nature and purpose of the property that alone can be used to access the site from land makes it very important that the site remain as anonymous as to exact location as possible. I'm sure you understand the uniqueness of such a potential treasure on Narragansett Bay and will limit its' location to those who share that sense of responsibility. The only way to prevent the harm you mention is to move it to a safer location. Having been there yourself, the logistical problems are apparent, not to mention cost, not to mention convincing the state's archaeological establishment that it's worth protecting. I don't mean to sound like I'm lecturing you. Enjoy the view and picture what may have taken place there long ago. I've just always feared its' whereabouts would be more generally known and I'm grateful the local media didn't pick up on it from the show. Sounds like you located it by boat, and you're right, it is visible for longer periods then 20 minutes. We first saw it on a moon low tide and it was completely out of the water when the first photos were taken.
It will fall victim to global warming over the next century I imagine. Know any wealthy benifactors who have the money to save it in time? I'd hate to remove it from its' natural setting, but nature will claim it.
I believe it's PreColumbian and represents a stopover by Europeans.
That's a pretty exciting thing to have on the shores of our own bay.
We waited several months to follow up the original tip in 1984. When I set eyes on it, I was instantly walking on air. It's been great fun to see it enter the debate on early European explorers to America.
Charlie
It takes some degree of effort to chisel a rune into a stone.... what do you suppose that it says, and why? ... usually someone doesn't leave a message on a natural stone unless they hope someone coming after them should come and find it? How is it connected to runes in France?
Neil:
I have heard a couple of different translations. One is, "4 men, such starvation." Another is something like 4 men victorious.
Where in France are there runes?
I agree with Charlie that we need to get this artifact to safe ground, similar to what was done with Dighton Rock.
Dave
David it is detrimental to the United states and for our history to remove the Norse rock and preserve it. It is not that hard to physically remove it
with today's cutting tech knowledge.
I have been studying the history of the knights Templars, and the voyage of Prince Henry St. Clair. I do believe there is a relationship between him and Columbus through marriage of his family. It would be beneficial to all historians across the world to remove it, as we did for Plymouth rock. I do believe the Templars where here first and Prince Henry second and then with Prince Henry giving Columbus the Navigation to Narragansett, but fell just north to Cape Cod due to drifting current's. It makes too much sense. Also Columbus used the same Hooked X in his signature and used the same Knights cross on his sails. Also fleeing from religious oppression fit's the error between the two. Controversial as it seems, I personalty believe it is Fact. The Newport Tower and the Key stones are signature to early 1300 period. No doubt it was built before Columbus.
Sincerely
Kevin Joubert
Kevin:
Thanks for your comments. You make a good observation re Columbus' sails sporting the Templar cross.
Dave
Recently located the rune with my father over Memorial day Weekend. AMAZING! It didnt appear a forgery to me and the weathering was the same as the surrounding stone. Hence it must have been there for a very long time. The directions we followed were totally wrong and only a hunch helped me find it. It should be preserved! Funny thing is I ignored the directions and followed my instinct and came across it quite quickly. And like many of you I was walking on air afterword. It is visable for around an hour at low tide. Please do not post the location if you happen upon it.
Just saw a program on the History Channel, discussing all these things. I find it absolutely fascinating, in a totally secular way.
It is all very curious. I don't doubt that Kensington may be authentic and the other Rune inscribed items could also be legit as well. But one thing that concerns me is the presumption that explorers carried steel chisels in order to make rune-stones with the intent to lay claim, as in "land claims". All the way from MN to MA, NF, NS, RI, for a Swedish King/lord? Wow, that is quite a story. It does stretch the imagination... very DaVinci codesque. I hope this is legitimate, that'd be nice. Fun
BTW, my comment was in response to the Hist. Chnl show on that Holy Grail stuff. It does mention all the Norse anamolies in the Americas, and the Narragansett is one such I had never known about. Fascinating.
Hi Cap'n. Not sure if they carried steel chisels for the express purpose of carving runes--maybe they had them to use for other purposes as well.
Yes, the Narragansett Rune Stone is a neat artifact. I just received an new possible translation for a runic expert: "See the deer, elk, gifts and trees," or possibly "See the grave of the king."
Ooops, typo. Meant to type "from" a runic expert in previous post
Hi, I was brought up here in Newport RI and have taken a great interest in Viking history as well as stone inscriptions found here and around New England. I am an ameteur photographer whose work may be seen on flickr by searching members with my name. Over the last 10 years, I have scoured the coast line as much as possible to search for any areas which may have been ideal spots to anchor or seek coverage in a protected cove. This must be done at low tide beacause the water has risen in the last 500+ years. It is like searching for a needle in a haystack, but there must be more out there. I have heard a newly found stone with runic markings was found at an undisclosed location in Newport this past January, 2011. Low tide of course. There is so much coastline with large rocks covered by heavy weeds
and undergrowth, plus think of how much the coast even inland on Aquidneck Island has been changed over the centuries by the Nor'Easters and Hurricanes. If anyone is interested in searching locations with me, I know this island like the back of my hand. Much more must be out there waiting to be discovered, but I agree 100% that some secrecy must be employed for fear of vandals and/or theft. You may contact me by e-mail anytime. Keep up the great work! Robert Rinkel, Newport RI, USA
This is beautiful seeing those inscriptions on the stones, that's my passion I like to study a lot about ancient story and this article made feel so good today.
I am a retired Marine and school teacher and am interested in questionable events and things.
I thought the fact that the date of the Kensington Rune Stone was determined by a geologist but denied by an archaeologist was interesting. But was it professional jealousy?
To Endear6:
As you know, geology is a science, while archeology is a social science (though they like to think of themselves as true scientists). I have found that most archeologists are unwilling to open their minds to the possibility of pre-Columbian exploration, no matter how much evidence is laid at their feet. I don't think it's jealousy as much as close-mindedness.
I saw a site that said that the narragansett rune stone was recently moved and is now under criminal investigation...
http://www.vinlandsite.com/Viking%20Artifacts%20in%20New%20England.htm
Seems like it was taken:
http://m.independentri.com/mobile/article_d22659e4-f2a7-11e1-b5f1-001a4bcf887a.html
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