Description
Book SynopsisDoes evidence show that Native Americas residing in Utah a thousand years ago lived among dinosaurs, depicting those creatures in their rock art? Did some of those same ancient Americans also encounter visitors from other planets, painting images of space-suited aliens on canyon walls? Have archaeologists discovered evidence that members of the Lost Tribes of Israel visited ancient America, leaving their mark by engraving the Ten Commandments in Hebrew on rocks in New Mexico? And Ohio? Is there archaeological evidence of ancient Celtic visitors to the New World in the form of messages etched in stone, megalithic monuments, and even the remnants of the villages in which they lived? Are American archaeologists covering up the remains of lost cities deeply ensconced in a secret cave in Arizona and in a subterranean chamber in Missouri? Finally, have archaeologists discovered the far western outpost of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, not in Egypt or even Africa, but in, of all places, California? Those questions and more are answered by archaeologist Ken Feder in Archaeological Oddities: A Field Guide to Forty Claims of Lost Civilizations, Ancient Visitors, and Other Strange Sites in North America that the above listed questions and others addressed in his book represent the equivalent of “fake news” about America’s ancient past. The forty sites he highlights are, in fact, fascinating and fun places to visit. Feder’s guide provides an entertaining summary of those forty sites along with the practical information you’ll need to visit them. This full-color book includes over 100 fascinating photographs.
Trade ReviewFeder has written the indispensable travel guide to the most colorful blind-alleys and wacky dead-ends of North American archaeology. He knows the territory like nobody else, and he’s passionate about the subject with a delightful sense of humor. And along the way, you’ll learn a lot about real archaeology too. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. -- Brad Lepper, Senior Curator of Archaeology, Ohio History Connection
Ken Feder is an indefatigable archaeological traveler, blessed with insatiable curiosity. He takes us on an entertaining, at times funny, and always well informed excursion to forty archaeological sites where you can experience the often zany site of North American archaeology first hand. This nicely written, well illustrated book takes us on a delicious archaeological journey through a sumptuous array of oddities. It’s a delight. -- Brian Fagan, emeritus professor of anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara
Feder's humorous commentary and honest presentation of facts make this a fun and informative read. Probably the best way to plan a unique trip to an unusual place in search of hidden messages, lost civilizations, and ancient aliens. -- Sara Head, host of Archaeology Fantasies
Feder’s latest is a fascinating field guide to America’s imaginary past from an expert archaeological traveler who combines deep knowledge, a wicked sense of humor, and a thoughtful perspective on the many ways Americans envision ancient times. -- Jason Colavito, author of The Cult of Alien Gods: H.P. Lovecraft and Extraterrestrial Pop Culture
Feder's excellent Archaeological Oddities is an oddity itself: an exhaustive guide to the spookiest archaeological sites in North America that provides real evidence. Readers who want the facts, dig in. Highly recommended. -- Jeb J. Card, assistant teaching professor, department of anthropology, Miami University
Table of ContentsPreface - What I Did on My Summer Vacations (and intersessions, Spring breaks, and too many long weekends to count) Chapter 1- Turn and Face the Strange Chapter 2- Here’s What We Know The Sites Ancient Visitors: Written Messages 1. Crack Cave, Comanche National Grassland, Colorado 2. Davenport Tablets, Davenport, Iowa 3. Dighton Rock, Berkley, Massachusetts 4. Westford Knight, Westford, Massachusetts 5. Michigan Relics, Michigan 6. Kensington Rune Stone, Alexandria, Minnesota 7. Los Lunas Decalogue Stone, Los Lunas, New Mexico 8. Newark Holy Stones, Newark, Ohio 9. Heavener Rune Stone, Heavener, Oklahoma 10. Bat Creek Stone, Loudon County, Tennessee 11. Grave Creek Stone, Moundsville, West Virginia Ancient Visitors: Stone Monuments 12. Acton Stone Chamber, Acton, Massachusetts 13. Upton Stone Chamber, Upton, Massachusetts 14. Peach Pond Chamber 15. Druid Hill, Lowell, Massachusetts 16. Balanced Rock, North Salem, New York 17. Newport Tower, Newport Rhode Island Ancient Visitors: Villages 18. Gungywamp, Groton, Connecticut 19. America’s Stonehenge/Mystery Hill, North Salem, Massachusetts 20. L’anse aux Meadow, Newfoundland, Canada Ancient Visitors: Aliens 21. Roswell Flying Saucer Crash Site, Roswell, New Mexico 22. Serpent Mound, Peebles, Ohio 23. Head of Sinbad, San Rafael Swell, Utah 24. Sego Canyon, Thompson Springs, Utah Lost Civilization 25. Tucson Artifacts, Tucson, Arizona 26. Grand Canyon Secret Cave, Grand Canyon, Arizona 27. Moberly Subterranean City, Moberly, Missouri 28. Burrows Cave, Illinois Biblical Proof? 29. The Cardiff Giant, Cooperstown, New York 30. Paluxy River Footprints, Glen Rose, Texas 31. Black Dragon Pictograph, San Rafael Swell, Utah 32. Kachina Bridge Pictograph, Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah New Age Antiquity 33. Palatki Cliff Dwelling, Sedona Arizona 34. Honanki Cliff Dwelling, Sedona, Arizona Unexpected Critter Depiction 35. Painted Rock Hairy Man Depictions, Tule Indian Reservation, Porterville, California Follies 36. Lost Egyptian City, Guadaupe, California 37. Carhenge, Alliance, Nebraska 38. The Dig, Governor’s Island, New York, New York 39. Columcille Megalithic Park, Bangor, Pennsylvania 40. Maryhill Stonehenge, Maryhill, Washington State
