As I searched for an interesting topic for this post, I came across several mentions of interesting stone formations, possibly prehistoric, right here in Michigan.
One of these structures was discovered years ago on Beaver Island, located in northern Michigan, near Charlevoix. At one time, the island was home to a Mormon kingdom which was eventually driven off the island due to conflicting political ideals. In 1985, a circular stone arrangement was found of the western side of the island. As the site was explored, Native American elders from the surrounding areas recalled stories of a stone calendar located on Beaver Island, near Peshawbestown, which is a historic Native American village. The site has a large stone with unknown markings in the center of the site, with other stones seemingly arranged around it. The stones and boulder arranged around it also have carving, which appear to be sheaths of feathers. While no carbon dating or other analytical studies have been done on the site, it is mostly accepted that the site had a high significance and was used as an important, ceremonial site for Native Americans who once inhabited Beaver Island.
I also came across many articles on a Stonehenge like structure that has been discovered deep under the waters of Lake Michigan. The structure was discovered in two thousand and seven by a university professor with sonar who was surveying the lake floor for shipwrecks near Traverse City. While they found the usual ships, cars, and even an old pier, they also made a fascinating, and potentially prehistoric discovery. One of the stones on the outer circle appears to have a carving of a mastodon, which is a prehistoric, elephant like animal that is thought to have gone extinct approximately ten thousand years ago. The carving of the mastodon indicates that the structure itself may be over ten thousand years old. The structure is also under 40 feet of water, which suggests that it was most likely built before the land became a lake, which also indicates that it was constructed over ten thousand years ago. This structure has not been extensively studied, due to the fact that it is so deep under water. The problem arises when many of the experts on carving and glyphs are not divers, so they cannot examine the stones and inscriptions up close and person to verify or dispute the authenticity. There is evidence of other stone circles and petroglyphs in the Great Lakes region, which makes it possible that this is an authentic, prehistoric site.
Sources:
http://www.beaverisland.net/Projects/The_Stone_Circle/the_stone_circle.htm
http://www.repositorybeaverislandstonecircle.com/finds.html
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Stonehenge-in-Lake-Michigan.html
I think it’s fascinating how many things get lost – sometimes forever – at the bottom of large bodies of water. It’s crazy how nature just barrels over everything when allowed to. I had never heard of them discovering stone henges like this in Michigan, so it’s interesting that they found something so clear and easy to photograph underneath the lake like that! It would be even more interesting if they could somehow bring up the stones to replicate/investigate them – especially the possible mastodon carving on one of them. However, disturbing them gets rid of the context of the find, as well as possible evidence surrounding them – though it is possible that the water has already destroyed/distributed the surrounding evidence. One way, if they didn’t want to remove the stones could be to train some of the experts in diving and send them down with skilled divers. While I’m sure not many or any of them are currently educated on diving, it is very easy to learn and get certified – and, in this case, they could always be accompanied by professional divers to watch over everything. Other than that, the only other solution I could think of would be to possibly send down cameras to take better pictures of everything – though that still isn’t hands on inspecting it.