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Ancient Observatory
It has been determined that America's Stonehenge is an accurate astronomically aligned calendar. It was and still can be, used to determine specific solar and lunar events of the year. Archaeoastronomy is the study of the role of astronomy in ancient cultures. This includes knowing who was responsible for building astronomical observatories and how they were used to effect or influence their lives. More--

Inscriptions & Epigraphy
Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions found on stone, metal, tiles, pottery, etc. relating to the written word. It is the deciphering of ancient inscriptions. Inscription means to write or engrave.

Time Line of Major Events at America's Stonehenge
For a time line of major events at America's Stonehenge, visit http://www.erikferguson.com/pages/americas-stonehenge.html
There is an excellent article on this web site by Erik Ferguson with a history of this hilltop from 500,000 B.C.E. to present. 

Carbon 14 Dating
Carbon 14 Dating allows archaeologists to determine how long ago a once-living thing died. When a living thing dies, it stops taking in Carbon 14 and starts giving off beta particles from the supply of Carbon 14 it stored during its lifetime. Scientists count the number of beta particles given off each minute by a sample of a particular size and, thus , determine its age.  Click here to learn more about Carbon 14 dating and the different dates obtained using this method at America's Stonehenge. (Coming Soon)

Underground Railroad
 

In the 1800's over 100,000 enslaved fugitives sought freedom through the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is the symbolic term given to the routes black Americans took to gain their freedom as they traveled often as far as Canada and Mexico. Free blacks , whites, Native Americans and former slaves acted as conductors by aiding fugitive slaves to their freedom. This 19th century freedom movement challenged the way Americans viewed slavery and freedom. 

When Mr. Poor heard a gentle rap on his door or other subdued sound in the night he dressed quickly, went out,  harnessed his mare Nelly into a covered wagon and started with his dusty passengers probably to North Salem NH on the top of a hill at that place where several large excavations  lined and covered with slabs of stone which have furnished retreats for neighboring inhabitants when the Indians were on the warpath but which now afforded refuge to fugitive slaves. Mr. Poor was always back in time for breakfast. -Wilbur Seiberts book Underground Railroad in Massachusetts

Jonathan Pattee and his family built their house atop Mystery Hill in the early 1800's Pattee was a retired shoemaker when he moved to the hill He was an abolitionist believed to be actively involved in the Underground Railroad . The old Boston Post road ran on a direct route from Boston through Manchester to the Canadian line in the 1800's and was frequently used by runaway slaves on their journey to freedom This road later became a bridle path named Pope Road. Jonathan Pattee's home was nearby and provided the shelter needed. As a station master he was responsible for their safety on this leg of the journey possibly from Andover Mass to points North.  Slaves took refuge on the hill hiding in the caves until it was safe to move on. Shackles found during an excavation are now housed in our Visitors Center museum. -America's Stonehenge: An Interpretive Guide by Joanne Dondero Lambert. 

The drinking gourd was used by slaves as a code for the big dipper . The big dipper is a group of stars whose bowl points to another group of stars called the little dipper The little dipper contains  the north star which got it's name because it is always above the North Pole. For the slaves, north meant freedom and that is the star they followed to escape One of the monoliths located on the astronomical trail at America's Stonehenge is the true north stone. It was determined that this monolith was the true north alignment for the pole star .

Underwater Archaeology
An underwater dig may be up to 25 times as expensive as a land dig and it is difficult for archaeologists to raise enough money for the latest equipment. Archaeologists work in much the same way underwater as they do on land, but they have to learn how to use all the diving equipment and think about safety rules as well as carry out the excavation. The dig has to be planned carefully because the divers can spend only a few hours underwater. It may also be difficult for them to see very far and they cannot communicate easily. Through underwater archaeology we are discovering that people were traveling to our shores much earlier and from farther away than we had thought. Through underwater archaeology our view of history could change dramatically over the years. 

Theories
Who built America's Stonehenge? No one knows for sure although there are a wide range of theories. At America's Stonehenge we present all of the information we have gathered and leave it up to the visitor to come up with their own theories of who built this site and why?  Click here to learn about some of the possible theories. (Coming Soon)

Artifacts
Artifacts are objects that have been made or modified by humans.  At America's Stonehenge we have uncovered a wide range of artifacts including stone tools, pottery, stone and bone pendants, Native American and colonial artifacts. Click here to learn about some of the artifacts found at America's Stonehenge. (Coming Soon)

Other Sites
Did you know that there are over 350 megalithic sites just in New England? Click here to learn about some of these other sites as well as other sites around North America and all over the world. A great resource on other sites in New England is www.neara.org New England Antiquities Research Association. More--

The DaVinci Code Connection