Ancient Stone Sites of New England
Postcard: The Sacrificial Table at Mystery Hill
Back reads:
Mystery Hill - America's Stonehenge
2000 BC
North Salem, New Hampshire
"The Sacrificial Table"
This 4 1/2 ton grooved slab is located at the exact center
of the site. It is believed to be an ancient pagan alter
of sacrifice. A speaking tube, directly under this slab,
was used for the oracle during the pagan ceremony.
Original release would have been late 1960s.
Based on the color degrade and caption, this is a mid-80s reprints.
It was replaced in the late 80s by a new version - different shot, different
angle, better color. The text was modified to reflect the elimination of the
Mystery Hill name and the fact that discovery of an astronomical calendar
ringing the site meant that the stone was not in the dead center of the
site.
Karl Edward Wagner makes notes of this postcard in his Lovecraftian short
story "Sticks," first published in Whispers, March 1974. The story
references this postcard for comparison to discoveries found in upstate New
York.
H. Warner Munn's "HPL: A Reminiscence" first appearing in Whispers # 12
-13/14 (1979) mentions Munn's visit to Mystery Hill with Lovecraft,
specifically recalling sitting on the edge of the sacrificial table.
Knight Errant
The Westford Knight
Current Project Blog
David Goudsward
is the author of numerous articles and books on genealogy and New England
megalithic sites. He has been a research specialist at Mystery Hill for over
15 years, specializing in historical topics.
He has also contributed
historical research to the Gungywamp site in Groton, CT, and previously
edited a genealogical research journal for the Pattee family. Formerly with
the Dauphin County Library System in Pennsylvania, he is a frequent lecturer
on genealogical and historical topics. 2006 marked the 30th anniversary
of his first visit to Mystery Hill.
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"Goudsward remains admirably (almost frustratingly) objective..." ALA College & Research Library News "Highly Recommended" In New England today, there are megalithic stones, stone chambers and structures, carvings and petroglyphs, even an unidentified skeleton in armor that defy easy explanation. From Maine to Massachusetts, this work presents an examination of various unexplained historical remains in New England. From the most notorious to the lesser known, it explores not only the layout and dimensions of such sites—some reminiscent of Stonehenge with their huge stones, astronomical alignments and undiscovered purposes—but also the history and possible explanations for their existence. Theories regarding Norse, Phoenician, Irish, Celtic and Native American origins are presented here in an impartial and logical manner. Sites discussed include Mystery Hill in North Salem, New Hampshire (also known as America’s Stonehenge); Dighton Rock in Berkley, Massachusetts; Newport Tower in Newport, Rhode Island; and the Bellows Falls Petroglyphs in Bellows Falls, Vermont. An appendix provides information regarding sites open to the public. |
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America’s Stonehenge sits atop Mystery Hill in North Salem, NH. It is an acre of stone structures surrounded by a 12-acre calendar. Alignments and carbon dating indicate the site was built 4000 years ago -but who built it? In this book, authors Stone and Goudsward explore the historical and prehistoric clues left behind at the archaeology site once described as a “mystery wrapped in an enigma.” The history of the site is examined and traced from the clues left behind from visitors, residents and researchers, and how that has led to today’s research and the current interpretation of the evidence. |
Current News
Newport Council concerns Over New Streetlight Design near Truro Park
Group's 2nd dig at Touro Park supports astronomical claim
Christopher Columbus, the Enigma - new movie based on Dr. da Silva's life &
work
South Coast magazine interview with Dr. Manuel da Silva
Scientists tackle Newport's biggest mystery
Researchers hope Newport dig will resume in fall
X Marks the Spot in Dighton
Dig Turns Up Little At Mysterious Newport Tower
Travelocity names America's Stonehenge a "top insider spot for New Hampshire" in "Local Secrets, Big Finds" International Poll.
 The Town of Danville NH has protected a beehive hut. They're not willing to endorse any theory on who built it or why, but it is protected and maintained by the Heritage Commission. The chamber faces to the southeast and appears to be on an alignment with Mystery Hill, but further work will be needed to confirm. |
America's Stonehenge
Dighton Rock
Hampton
Runestone
Newport Tower
Lye Stone & Cider Press
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