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It was found in the foundation of a Wampanoag house around 1800. In 1930, it was moved to the reconstruction of the Aptucxet Trading Post, the first commercial business in what is now the United States. Other than that, there are few facts available. It's a 200 pound stone that has moved around a bit. Some say it was once the threshold of an Indian church, although the inscriptions were buried so as not to spook the Indians. "Experts" claim the writings are from: Vikings (of course), Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Irish Monks (Culdee), and perhaps the most practical of all, an Indian practicing his writing.
A little more information on the stone (and an enlarged image) for the curious. :)
Several theories have been put forth over the years.
The stone was supposed to have been brought in as a stepping stone in the late 17th century when Samuel Sewell, the "hanging judge" of Salem witch trial fame, realized he had been swayed by the general hysteria of the period. He felt deep remorse for having gone along with the death penalties for those innocent people and spent the rest of his life trying to atone. One of his actions was to build churches throughout the area for the Indians. Bournedale was one of the first of those churches. When the stone was brought in to be used as a doorstep, the natives refused to walk on the marks of their ancestors. It was turned upside down and was thus made usable, according to the story. Later the church was destroyed or movedand the stone found its way into the foundation of a home where it was eventually discovered.
Several Nordic scholars and amateur runeologists have attempted to find a message. Barry Fell, an amateur linguist, included it in his book about ancient mysteries in North America and proclaimed it was Phoenician. In each case another "expert" has come along and "debunked" the current solution. Other suggestions include: Irish monks and a 19th century Indian learning his alphabet by practicing on a rock! All that can be said with any certainty is that the inscription is old; it dates back at least to 1800. Beyond that its origin is unknown, and anyone at this point in time can believe any story he wants about it.
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