Ancient ‘Stonehenge’ Discovered in U.S. Lake, Potentially 5,000 Years Older Than Britain’s

Stonehenge, the ancient, iconic monument in England, has baffled experts for centuries.¹ Its purpose and construction has fueled endless debate and speculation.

In a turn of events, a similar enigmatic stone structure has been discovered beneath the waters of a lake in the United States. Astonishingly, this submerged monument is estimated to be approximately 5,000 years older than its British counterpart, dating back an astounding 10,000 years.

Accidental Discovery

The underwater site was unexpectedly found in 2007 by a team of archaeologists led by Professor Mark Holley of Northwestern Michigan College in Lake Michigan.

During a routine survey of the lake bed off the coast of Traverse City, Michigan, they stumbled upon a series of large stones arranged in a circular pattern, submerged at a depth of 40 feet (12.1 meters).

Intriguing Arrangement & Carvings

Upon further analysis, it was determined that the stones, some weighing up to 3,000 pounds (1,360 kg), had been deliberately arranged by humans, according to archaeologist Mark Holley and his team.^(ref)

The formation consists of a 40-foot diameter circle with an inner circle measuring 20 feet in diameter. The stones, all made of locally sourced granite, are estimated to be around 10,000 years old, making this one of the oldest known structures in North America.

Intriguingly, some of the stones bear carvings and engravings, including an image that resembles a Mastodon—an extinct elephant-like creature that roamed North America during the Pleistocene Epoch. This suggests that the builders of the site had knowledge of these ancient animals and possibly even hunted them.

Theories & Unanswered Questions

While the Lake Michigan stones share some similarities in size and shape with Stonehenge, their origins and purpose remain unclear. According to the YouTube video, experts like Dr. John O’Shea, Curator of Great Lakes Archaeology at the University of Michigan, believe the formation could have served as an ancient hunting structure known as a drive lane.

The carvings, along with a long line of rocks leading towards the circle, support this theory.

However, much like its younger counterpart in England, the true purpose of the Lake Michigan monument and the identity of its builders remain a mystery. It challenges conventional beliefs about the capabilities of early humans and raises intriguing questions about their culture, knowledge, and technology.

The Future of Underwater Archaeology

The discovery of this underwater “Stonehenge” highlights the vast potential of underwater archaeology to uncover hidden secrets of the past. As technology advances, we can expect further exploration and research in Lake Michigan and other bodies of water, potentially revealing more about this enigmatic monument and the people who created it.

For now, the submerged stone circle in Lake Michigan stands as a testament to the ingenuity of prehistoric humans and serves as a reminder that many mysteries of our ancient past are still waiting to be discovered.

Source:

1. BBC News