Megalithic structures, especially stone circles, are legion around the world, from Malta to Ireland, Japan, Brazil, and France. These mysterious and alluring sites have withstood the test of time, the elements, and human damage.
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Nonetheless, their purpose and remarkable resilience have often caused bouts among conspiracy theorists, archaeologists, historians, anthropologists, spiritualists, and geologists. Case in point: England's Stonehenge, which may have originally stood in Wales.
Some of the plausible and far-fetched explanations for its presence and goal include ceremonial, astronomical, and healing significance, but also wizardry and alien technology (although, one of Stonehenge's biggest mysteries has recently been solved by experts).
Theories and mysteries aside, did you know that the oldest landmarks you can visit in the U.S. include the so-called America's Stonehenge? Located in Salem, New Hampshire, it's a privately owned tourist site spanning about 30 acres, and it's arguably just as mysterious as England's Stonehenge.
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The Stonehenge Of America At A Glance
The "Stonehenge of the USA", named Mystery Hill in Salem, New Hampshire, may date back 4,000 years
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Typically, New Hampshire is famed for being one of the safest states to retire, its quaint and quiet towns to catch fall foliage, and plenty of other awesome things to do across the state, like visiting Mount Washington State Park or enjoying cider donuts.
However, beyond the tourist trail, the state is home to one of the most fascinating archaeological sites discovered throughout the U.S.: Rockingham County's Mystery Hill, better known as "America's Stonehenge".
The site consists of a maze of human-made "chambers, walls, and ceremonial meeting places" that may be over 4,000 years old, as per radio-carbon analysis, which would make them the nation's oldest construction discovered to date.
Beloved American horror writer H. P. Lovecraft visited Mystery Hill.
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Several inscriptions have been found across the site, supposedly spanning Phoenician (the language of ancient Lebanon's seafaring civilization), Ogham (Early Medieval Irish alphabet), and an Iberian (ancient Spanish) Punic (ancient Carthaginian, derived from Phoenician) script.
That's quite an intriguing mix, but the site's origin and previous occupants and visitors have never been scientifically proven.
Per Discover Magazine, it also seems that the site was used as a homestead and a rock quarry in the 19th century, not to mention that various Native American artifacts have been unearthed there, from pottery to tools.
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As for William Goodwin, the insurance executive who acquired the property in 1937, he fervently believed that the structures were erected by Irish monks in the 11th century. He thus reorganized some of the stones and moved them to their supposed original locations.
Those alterations, as well as the fact that the site was vandalized in 2019, may have rendered any theory inconclusive.
Pets aren't allowed on the grounds because of the presence of alpacas.
Address
105 Haverhill Road, Salem, New Hampshire 03079
Hours of Operation
9 am to 4 pm (last admission at 3 pm)
Access Fee
$18/adults; V.I.P. guided tour: $150/person
Easy Loop Trail
0.9 mi; 21 min; some rocky & uneven terrain
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Parking is free, and the visitor center and gift shop are accessible.
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What Was The Purpose Of The Stonehenge Of America?
A sacrificial stone and a chamber with an equinox-centered design have fueled some theories
The so-called sacrificial stone at America's Stonehenge, Salem, NH
Whether America's Stonehenge is Native American, Phoenician, Iberian, Irish, or the product of 19th-century quarry workers, was there ever a purpose to the way those eye-catching stones are aligned? The official website states the following:
Like Stonehenge in England, America's Stonehenge was built by ancient people well versed in astronomy and stone construction. It has been determined that the site is an accurate astronomical calendar. It was and still can be used to determine specific solar and lunar events of the year.
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According to Stone Structures of Northeastern United States, the site features 14 chambers from different time periods. These include the Tilted Roof Storage Chamber, the Rain Water and Crystal Storage Chamber ("Two items sacred to Native Americans"), and the East-West Walk-In Chamber, made with enormous slabs of granite.
The latter was partly damaged by quarry workers, but the official TikTok account insists that it's relatively intact and wasn't part of the reconstructions that occurred in the 1940s and 1950s.
The guide also reveals that during the equinox, the sun rises right on the eastern side of the chamber and sets on the western side. Could this actually confirm the site's astronomical function?
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As for the so-called Sacrificial Stone or Table, which is eight feet long and 6.3 feet wide, it's been compared to the lye-leaching stones that were used in soap-making, as well as to colonial cider press bed stones.
Others have theorized that it was likely used by Native Americans in complex water and crystal ceremonies.
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America's Stonehenge Offers Various Activities & Events
They include geocaching and snowshoeing
A winter solstice sunset at America's Stonehenge, Salem, NH
People are drawn to Mystery Hill for various reasons, be it to ponder on its enigmatic origin and function, admire its elaborate design, or simply pet the property's adorable alpaca herd on a family-friendly outing.
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The site is also bookable for weddings, and it hosts annual and seasonal events, like the Thanksgiving Guided Tour and the Winter Solstice Ritual. As for children aged up to 12, they're invited to participate in the Kids' Gemstone Dig, which will teach them to dig and sift for polished gemstones (they even get to keep three of their finds).
Finally, America's Stonehenge offers daytime snowshoeing trails through 105 acres of woodlands and candlelight snowshoeing that includes a cup of hot apple cider. Wearing comfortable, water-resistant boots is highly recommended for these strolls.
Daytime Snowshoeing
$22/13+ (with rentals)
$16/12 and under (with rentals)
Candlelight Snowshoeing
$30/13+ (with rentals)
$22/12 and under (with rentals)
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America's Stonehenge may very well be one of America's most intriguing archaeological sites you didn't know existed. So, will you consider venturing out there for yourself and coming up with your own hypothesis about its original purpose?