America�s Stonehenge Deciphered
By Mary E. Gage with Photographs by James E. Gage
2006, Powwow River Books
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DESCRIPTION
For the ancient Native Peoples, the place known to us as America's Stonehenge (Mystery Hill) was a sacred place. For 2500 years they came annually to hold ceremonies with the spirits. At first, they came on the summer solstice and then later they came for the winter solstice and spring equinox. They built ritual structures like stone chambers, cairns, drains, basins, enclosures, and standing stones as part of their ceremonial areas. As the ceremonies were altered and added to, new ceremonial structures were built to accommodate them. These structures were constructed for specific purposes, contained symbolism meaningful to their culture, and had distinct architectural styles. The result is an amazing archaeological record of the 2500 year cultural history of this sacred place.
America�s Stonehenge Deciphered explores the purpose of these structures, the ceremonies held at them, and the meaning behind the symbolism built into them. It traces how these cultural beliefs were passed from generation to generation and how they were added to and altered to meet the changing needs of their culture. What emerges from this is a profound respect for the intelligence, sophistication, and the depth of their spiritual worldview, culture, and their expertise with building stone structures.
274 pp. 199 illustrations. 6 x 9 inches. Trade Paperback.
IBSN-13 978-0-9717910-4-6
ISBN-10 0-9717910-4-X
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 � Beginnings
Chapter 2 � The Spirit World
Upperworld & Underworld
Nature of Spirits
Principle Spirits
Movement of Spirits
Spirit Portals
Offering Niches
Types of Offerings
Chapter 3 � Cultural Ideas
Chapter 4 � Natural Features Era (Phase 1)
Exposed Bedrock
Ledge and Crystal Geode
Natural Spring
Wetlands Pool
Initial Ceremonies
Conclusion
Chapter 5 � Low Wall Era (Phase 2)
Original Summer Solstice Ceremonial Area
I. Original Summer Solstice Sunrise Alignment Stone
II. Preparation Enclosures
III. Ditch Drain, Stone Ramp, and Large Basin
IV. True South Offering Wall
V. Niche-in-Wall
VI. Conclusion � Summer Solstice Ceremonial Area
Clay Pit
Underworld Ceremonial Area at the Cliff
I. Two Caves and Vertical Cliff Face
II. Southward Extension of bedrock from the Cliff
Winter Solstice Sunset Ceremonial Area
I. Winter Solstice Sunset Alignment
II. Plain Triangular Standing Stone (Erected in Phase 5)
III. Two Boulders
IV. High & Low Offering Walls
V. South Side Perimeter Wall
VI. Conclusion - Winter Solstice Sunset Ceremonial Area
Winter Solstice Water Ceremonial Area
I. Enclosure, Dividing Wall, and L-Shaped Ditch Drain
II. North Stone Enclosed Area
III. Conclusion - Winter Solstice Water Ceremonial Area
Original Springtime Rain Water Ceremonial Area
I. Ditch and Covered Drain at Wetland�s Pool
II. Sump Pit and Two Cairns
III. Conclusion � Springtime Rain Water Ceremonial Area
Ravine � Southwest Entrance
Chapter 6 � Tall Thick Wall Era (Phase 3)
Storage Chamber added to Summer Solstice Area
I. Tilted Roof Storage Chamber (a/k/a Mensal Stone)
Tall Wall Water Preparation Unit
I. Tall Wall Storage Chamber (a/k/a Tall Wall)
II. Covered Drain (Alcove of Oracle Chamber)
III. Grooved Drain
IV. Conclusion � Tall Wall Water Preparation Unit
Rain Water & Crystal Preparation Unit
I. Rain Water & Crystal Storage Chamber
II. Grooved Drain/Basin
III. Conclusion - Rain Water & Crystal Preparation Unit
Relocation of Springtime Rain Water Main Ceremony to Hill Top
I. Covered Drain, Sump Pit & Paved Walkway
II. Cupule Stone
III. Conclusion � Springtime Rain Water Main Ceremony
Half Circle Ceremonial Unit
I. Large Niche Area
II. Quartz Quarry (Native American)
III. Half Circle Enclosure -West Side
IV. Half Circle Enclosure (a/k/a The Pulpit)
V. Half Circle Enclosure � East Side
Relocation of Storage Chamber and Hill Top Entrance
I. South Facing Storage Chamber
II. Lower Processional Way�s Upper Section
III. Passage Cairn
Chapter 7 � Walk-In Chamber Era, Part I (Phase 4)
Collapsed Chamber Preparation Unit
I. Offering Drain and Basin
II. Enclosure and Collapsed Walk-In Chamber
Spring Equinox Sunrise Ceremonial Area
I. Equinox Sunrise Alignment Stone
II. Lodge
III. Conclusion - Spring Equinox Sunrise Ceremonial Area
East Entrance to Hill Top Ceremonial Complex
I. Lower Processional Way
II. Lower East Side Storage Chamber (a/k/a Watch House Chamber)
III. Water Well
Sunken Ceremonial Unit
Abandoned Chamber Unit
Chapter 8 � Walk-In Chamber Era, Part II (Phase 4)
New Summer Solstice Sunrise Ceremonial Area
Ramp, Grooved Stone Waterfall Drain, & Oracle Chamber Unit
I. Ramp Area
II. Grooved Stone Waterfall Drain Area
III. Oracle Chamber Area
IV. Conclusion � Ramp, Grooved Stone Waterfall Drain, & Oracle Chamber Unit
Summer Solstice Sunset Ceremonial Area
I. Pre-Ceremonial Area
II. Processional Way, Main Entrance, Underworld Spirit Portal
III. Ordinary People�s Offering Wall
IV. Sunset Alignment Stone and other Symbolic Stones
V. Underworld Portal � Down Slope
VI. Small Underworld Spirit Ceremonial Area
End of an Era
I. Fire Ceremony at North Stone
II. Closing of Several Structures and Ceremonial Features
III. Conclusion � End of an Era
Chapter 9 � Slab Wall Era (Phase 5)
North Entrance & Upper Processional Way
I. North Entrance
II. Upper Processional Way
East-West Walk-In Chamber
Summer Solstice Sunrise and Ramp
2nd Crystal Well
Summer Solstice Sunset Ceremonial Area at Cairn Fields
I. Layout of Wall System
II. Cairns in Large Cairn Field
III. Cairns in Small Cairn Field
IV. Summer Solstice Sunset Alignment Stone and Associated Features
V. Underworld Niche and Spirit Portal outside the Cairn Fields
VI. Conclusion � Summer Solstice Sunset Ceremony Area
Final Closing of Site
Chapter 10 - After the Final Closing
Chapter 11 � Reconstruction of Ceremonies
Spring Equinox
Summer Solstice
Winter Solstice
Appendix A � Rectangular and Triangular Shapes
Appendix B � Prehistoric and Historic Quarrying
Appendix C � Myth of Two Central Viewing Points
Appendix D � Petroglyph of Merrimack River
Bibliography