Researchers reveal 9000-Year-Old ‘Stonehenge-Like’ Structure in Lake Michigan
[Nov. 2, 2023: Staff Writer, The Brighter Side of News]
The picturesque waters of Grand Traverse Bay have long harbored stories of maritime history. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)
The picturesque waters of Grand Traverse Bay have long harbored stories of maritime history, with dozens of known shipwrecks bearing witness to its bustling 19th and 20th-century maritime trade routes. Beneath its serene surface, secrets of a different kind have emerged, captivating the minds of archaeologists and historians alike.
Recently, the bay unveiled a remarkable surprise to the world—a prehistoric structure, reminiscent of England's iconic Stonehenge, was uncovered by Dr. Mark Holley, a distinguished professor of underwater archaeology at Northwestern Michigan University. Situated approximately 40 feet beneath Lake Michigan's glistening waters, within the heart of Grand Traverse Bay, this enigmatic discovery was to forever rewrite our understanding of the region's ancient past.
The assemblage of stones, although smaller in scale compared to the towering boulders of Stonehenge, appeared to be carefully arranged, igniting intrigue among researchers. The stones, ranging from sizes akin to a basketball to a compact car, appeared to have been intentionally placed, forming a meandering line over a mile in length.
Dr. Holley's eyes were particularly drawn to a singular rock, standing three and a half to four feet tall and five feet wide. Carved onto its surface was a depiction of a mastodon—an astonishing connection to an era long past, when both mastodons and mammoths roamed the Earth.
Related Stories
Astoundingly, the age of these stones was estimated to be around 9,000 years, predating the construction of England's Stonehenge by a staggering 4,000 years. To provide context, this was a period following the end of the Ice Age and the formation of Grand Traverse Bay, when the lake bed had yet to be submerged.
Charting the Mysteries of Grand Traverse Bay
Grand Traverse Bay, nestled in the northeastern arm of Lake Michigan and bordered by the lower peninsula of Michigan, stretches across 32 miles in length and 12 miles in width. Famed for its underwater shipwreck dive sites, the bay has become a haven for adventure-seeking tourists, some of whom explore the wrecks with no more than snorkel, mask, and fins.
However, the Lake Michigan Stonehenge-like structure's precise location remains shrouded in secrecy. Dr. Holley, upon his discovery, extended the courtesy of informing the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa tribes—a gesture of respect toward their ancestral heritage and a safeguard against inadvertent destruction of the site. As a result, the exact coordinates of this archaeological marvel are withheld from the public domain.
Sonar Image of the stones. Stonehenge Beneath the Waters of Lake Michigan. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)
The submerged nature of these stones presents a unique challenge for archaeologists aiming to analyze them comprehensively. Progress since the initial finding in 2007 has been somewhat slow, and speculation and theories surrounding the site's significance have flourished in its absence. To glean insights, researchers have turned to other stone formations found in the region, seeking potential correlations and unlocking the secrets held within these underwater mysteries.
Echoes of the Past: Other Stone Structures in the Vicinity
While the purpose behind the arrangement of stones in Grand Traverse Bay remains an enigma, tantalizing clues emerge from similar stone structures discovered in the vicinity. Dr. John O'Shea, hailing from the University of Michigan, has meticulously studied a rock formation in Lake Huron's depths, dating back 9,000 years.
Grand Traverse Bay Shoreline in the Winter. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)
Nestled some 120 feet below the water's surface, along the Alpena-Amberley Ridge, this assemblage of rocks reveals ancient hunting tactics—a network of stones potentially used to channel caribou during hunts. Remarkably, this location once marked a land bridge connecting Michigan and southern Ontario, highlighting the dynamic changes that have shaped the region over millennia.
Further intrigue arises from Beaver Island, the largest island in Lake Michigan. Here, ancient rocks evoke a sense of connection with the past. Along the Reddings Trail on the island's west side lies a circle of glacial boulders, some adorned with markings and one harboring a carved hole—a feature suggestive of functional significance.
A boulder about three and a half to four feet high and five feet wide was found with a prehistoric carving of a mastodon etched into the stone. Both animals have been extinct for about 11,00 years. (CREDIT: Pinterest)
Although formal analyses such as carbon dating remain lacking, prevailing beliefs posit that these stones held profound importance for the Native American communities that once inhabited the island. The circle, a potential calendrical marker or celestial observation point, fuels speculation about the extent of knowledge possessed by these ancient societies.
Unraveling the Riddles of Time
In the absence of definitive answers, speculation flourishes regarding the purpose of the Grand Traverse Bay stone arrangement. Was it a tool employed by ancient caribou hunters, akin to the formation beneath Lake Huron? Or might it have served as an ancient calendar, mirroring the celestial alignment function attributed to Stonehenge? The ambiguity surrounding these questions underscores the need for further research and analysis—an imperative that has been somewhat hindered by the underwater context.
Lake Michigan Stonehenge. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)
The Lake Michigan "Stonehenge" continues to tantalize, promising to unveil secrets of an era lost to the depths of time. The dedication of archaeologists, the respect shown by local tribes, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge converge in the quest to decipher the mysteries etched in stone beneath Grand Traverse Bay's gentle waves.
As technology advances and new methods of exploration emerge, one can only anticipate that the answers to these riddles will inch closer, allowing us to step back in time and uncover the ancient wisdom that has remained submerged for millennia.
For more science stories check out our New Discoveries section at The Brighter Side of News.
Note: Materials provided above by the The Brighter Side of News. Content may be edited for style and length.
Like these kind of feel good stories? Get the Brighter Side of News' newsletter.
