On
Saturday, September 12th, Mary and I went to Salem, NH to visit
America’s Stonehenge. Originally known as Mystery
Hill, it is thought to be around 4,000 years old based on carbon dating of tree
roots and charcoal found on the site.
As
Mary and I walked around I took pictures of several stone chambers. In my photo
attempts, I was sure I also got the number tag with each site so I would know
which rock cavern was which. Unfortunately, most of the numbers are not in the
pictures. I will have to go back and first take a picture of the number tag,
then a picture of the structure. Any excuse to go back.
America’s
Stonehenge was the subject of the TV show, “America Unearthed” featuring forensic
geologist, Scott Wolter. On the show it was shown that a line drawn along the
latitude of the summer solstice sunrise, straight across the Atlantic, goes
right through two upright stones at England’s Stonehenge. That’s a thought
worth pondering.
Each of the photos that follows can be enlarged by clicking on it.
This
sign greets you as you turn onto the road leading to the parking lot.
The
pathway to the site shows what the entire site is like under foot. One should
be mindful of each step.
On a
Feb. 1 to Nov. 1 alignment. Named Watch House because of it’s location outside
the main site. Of course it could have been used for storage or shelter.
Just
check out that stone slab overhead. If I remember correctly, this was one place
that had a chain across the entrance. Might have had something to do with the
overhead slab of stone.
This
is the outside of one chamber, and
this
is the inside of the same chamber. Check out the arch near the floor. What
might it have been used for?
This
sign gives info on the history of the site when owned by Jonathan Pattee.
There
were a couple of chambers with a chain across the front. You didn’t have to
tell us twice.
These
roots make an interesting pattern…and to think they are growing into the
bedrock.
A
look deep inside one of the larger chambers. The stonework is incredible. Note
the large ceiling-to-floor stone in the rear…looks to me like a tadpole.
A
sign like this is an invitation to me. It’s like “Don’t touch. Wet Paint.”
However, and Mary will attest to this, I followed the rules...this time.
An
interesting path to a chamber you can see just beyond the walls. Check out the
standing stone with another flat stone in front of it. Doesn’t it look like a
seat (like a throne?). At the top left you can see part of the astrological alignment pavilion.
This
passage way leads into the area of the sacrificial table.
This
passage leads to (is part of) the oracle chamber. From here the shaman could
view the gathering of the tribe around the sacrificial table. He/She could speak
to the gathering through the “speaking tube.” It would be as if the gods were speaking
to them. Of course the shaman would get down there without anyone seeing
him/her. The camera flash lights up the passage, however I was walking without
the benefit of any light. I was lucky to have barely noticed the large rock on
the floor that I had to step up onto. The ledge on the left wall is like a bed,
large enough for a person to crawl onto and be completely hidden. The activities
outside could be observed through a small opening.
As
one enters the passage to the oracle chamber, there is a passage to the right.
It leads one out of the chamber without being seen. Mary was quite concerned
about my going into the oracle chamber and when I came out I could hear her
calling me. I, of course, answered.
The
interesting thing about the entire system of chambers is how Mary and I reacted
to them. One stopped both of us as we encountered a “wall” of energy that
neither one of us wanted to go beyond.
There
were several chambers that Mary wanted nothing to do with, yet I was completely
comfortable around them. The biggest surprise for me was the oracle chamber.
The very construction and lack of light should have kicked my claustrophobia
into high gear. However, I was very comfortable down there.
This
one gave me the willies. This was as close as I was getting.
This
is the sacrificial table. You can see where the current owners of the site have
outlined in red a groove that goes all around the outer edge of the stone. The
groove looks like it was meant to drain blood. I personally do not think it was
human sacrifice. I feel it was animal sacrifice only.
This
is another view of the sacrificial table. Notice the standing stones at both
ends of this area. The standing stone facing the camera has a face on it. Do
you see it? The face is that of a bearded man wearing some sort of hat. His
left eye is brighter than his right eye.
The astrological directions pavilion shows
the directions of solstices, equinoxes and other dates of ancient holiday rituals
and ceremonies.
This
clay sculpture (fertility goddess?) is of modern construction by a local group
for the purpose of celebrating ancient holidays. To the left you can see her
head, and to the right, her breasts. Next is the ‘fire pit’ in her mid section.
Her arms come around her body with her hands meet at the root chakra. Her legs
are open with her feet coming together in the middle, indicating (my
interpretation) the birthing process.
A great day spent at America's Stonehenge. I will be back.
