Bourne stone facts for kids
The Bourne Stone is a mysterious rock found in Bourne, Massachusetts. It's a big piece of granite, weighing about 300 pounds. What makes it special are the two lines of strange carvings on its surface.
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What is the Bourne Stone?
The Bourne Stone is an interesting object that has puzzled experts for years. It's a large, heavy stone with unusual marks carved into it. People wonder who made these carvings and what they mean.
A Journey Through Time: The Stone's History
Experts from the Archaeological Institute of America believe the stone was first used around 1680. It might have been a doorstep for a Native American meeting house. Over many years, the stone moved between different owners.
In the 1930s, the stone arrived at the Aptucxet Trading Post in Bourne. It has been on display at this historical center since 2003.
Unraveling the Mystery: What Do the Carvings Mean?
Many people have tried to figure out what the carvings on the Bourne Stone mean.
The Iberian Script Theory
In 1977, a writer named Barry Fell shared his idea in a book called America B.C.: Ancient Settlers in the New World. He thought the marks were an ancient Iberian script (a type of writing from Spain and Portugal). He translated them to say: "A proclamation of annexation. By this Hanno takes possession." This suggested that ancient people from Iberia might have visited America long ago.
Native American Petroglyphs Theory
Later, in 2004, archaeologist Larry J. Zimmerman looked into the stone. He invited Michael Barnes, an expert in Norse runes (another ancient writing system), to examine the carvings. Barnes confirmed that the marks were definitely not Norse runes.
Larry Zimmerman and another archaeologist, Patricia Emerson, had a different idea. They suggested that the carvings looked like petroglyphs made by Native Americans. Petroglyphs are images carved into rock, often found in places where ancient people lived. This theory suggests the stone's carvings are part of local Native American history.
The true meaning of the Bourne Stone's carvings remains a fascinating mystery!
