Mystery Hill - from James Gage

As some people are already aware, my mother Mary Gage, has been working on a major study of America's Stonehenge / Mystery Hill site in N.H. for the past 4 1/2 years. Her research has culminated in a book length publication, titled "America's Stonehenge Deciphered" which will be published by Powwow River Books (www.PowwowRiverBooks.com ). The book has gone to press and will be available in about two weeks.
For those of you not familiar with the Mystery Hill site, it is composed of a 1 acre central complex of stone chambers, enclosures, niches, drains, basins, and various engimatic stone features. The central complex is surrounded by an extensive stone wall system with scattered standing stones inbedded in the walls. Some of these standing stones are accurate astronomical alignments (summer solstice sunrise & sunset, winter solstice sunset, and equinox sunrise). In addition, there are two cairn fields, a rock shelter, springs and other important features at the site. All together the site encompasses 100 acres. Archaelogical excavations and a large set of C-14 dates from cultural contexts have established a human presence at different time periods for the past 3,000 years. "America's Stonehenge Deciphered" reconstructs the history and evolution of the site from the archaeological record and careful study of the stone structures and other man-made features of the site. It divides the site's history into five distincts phases based upon architectural style of the structures. Detailed and patient study of the stone structures thenselves, revealed important clues about their purpose. These clues provided the means to begin interpreting the site. Piecing all of these small clues together, the book presents a cohesive and persuasive reconstruction and interpretation of this site. The picture which emerges is of Native American ritual complex similar to the sites that many of us are currently researching. The book will offer many new insights and a new perspective for thinking about, analyzing and interpreting other sites.
"American Stonehenge Deciphered" will in all probability generate much debate and controversy. But, that debate for the first time will be about a Native American theory of the Mystery Hill site. A debate long overdue.
James Gage www.StoneStructures.org