Newark Holy Stones
Progressive Ohio Exhibit
Newark Holy Stones
The Newark Holy Stones
Left to Right: Stone Sarcophagus, Stone Bowl, Decalogue Stone, Keystone
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The Set of Controversial Stone artifacts discovered in the 1860's
The Newark Holy Stones refer to a set of artifacts allegedly discovered by David Wyrick in 1860 within a cluster of ancient Indian burial mounds near Newark, Ohio. The set consists of the Keystone, a stone bowl, and the Decalogue with its sandstone box. The site where the objects were found is known as the Newark Earthworks, one of the biggest collections from an ancient American Indian culture known as the Hopewell that existed from approximately 100 BC to AD 500.
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The Newark Holy Stones continue to draw many visitors to the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum. One of the largest interest groups is composed of members the Church of the Latter Day Saints. The Book of Mormon states that the ten “lost tribes of Israel” relocated to North America to live with the Native Americans. The existence of the Newark Holy Stones seems to gives credence to their views. Another significant interest group follows a para-archaeological movement whose premise is that pre-Columbian trans-oceanic travel occurred hundreds of years earlier than what historians and archaeologists accept as true. The leaders in this movement point to similarities between widely different cultures and to artifacts that are “out-of-place,” proving that people traveled hundreds of years prior to the 10th c. when Icelandic Vikings journeyed to Greenland. This theory has been gaining popularity since 2013 when the Newark Holy Stones were featured on the History 2 Channel’s America Unearthed.
Archaeologists, however, believe they were forged to support the theory of monogenism-the theory that all humans come from a single pair of individuals. In 1860, slavery was a subject of heated debate. Anthropology, as well as other forms of science, was often used in defense or opposition and discussions promoting monogenism would be used to oppose slavery and segregation.
Archaeologists, however, believe they were forged to support the theory of monogenism-the theory that all humans come from a single pair of individuals. In 1860, slavery was a subject of heated debate. Anthropology, as well as other forms of science, was often used in defense or opposition and discussions promoting monogenism would be used to oppose slavery and segregation.
The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum
300 N. Whitewoman St.
Coshocton, Ohio 43812 |
(740) 622-8710
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JHMUSEUM@JHMUSEUM.ORG
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