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Title: Sunken treasure Scientists find evidence of ancient forest buried under the seabed of Nantucket Sound
Source:
Boston Globe
URL Source: http://www.boston.com/news/local/ma ... es/2005/12/04/sunken_treasure/
Published: Dec 4, 2005
Author: Beth Daley
Post Date: 2005-12-04 14:30:53 by A K A Stone
Keywords: Scientists, Nantucket, treasure
Views: 206
Comments: 28
Scientists mapping the seabed under a proposed wind farm in Nantucket Sound were stunned by their find: evidence of a submerged forest under 6 feet of mud. Article Tools * PRINTER FRIENDLYPrinter friendly * SINGLE PAGESingle page * E-MAILE-mail to a friend * RSS FEEDSMass. RSS feed * RSS FEEDSAvailable RSS feeds * MOST E-MAILEDMost e-mailed * REPRINTS/PERMISSIONSReprints/permissions More: * Globe City/Region stories | * Latest local news | * Globe front page | * http://Boston.com * Sign up for: Globe Headlines e-mail | * Breaking News Alerts It's hardly the lost city of Atlantis, but the piece of birch wood, the yellowish-green grass, soil, and insect parts appear to be part of a forest floor that lined the coastline 5,500 years ago, before being swallowed by the sea that rose after the last ice age. Nearby is evidence of a drowned kettle pond and marsh. The find has scientists abuzz because if a preserved forest rests below the sea, maybe artifacts from ancient cultures do, too -- items that could help answer some of the most vexing questions about early people in North America. As more energy projects are proposed off New England, archaeologists say, there will be more opportunity for even bigger finds. ''We've been arguing for years whether there are remnant prehistoric landscapes out there and now we know they can exist," said Victor Mastone, director and chief archaeologist of the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources. ''This means there is the potential to go after the big theory of how did people get here and how they lived." Cape Wind Associates, which has proposed the wind farm, redesigned the 130-turbine project this year to avoid the discovered area. So much of the world's water was locked up in glaciers during the ice age, ocean levels plummeted at least 300 feet. New England's continental shelf was exposed and in some places, the coastline extended more than 75 miles from its current location. Even at the end of the ice age 10,000 years ago, when melting glaciers were causing sea levels to rapidly rise, New England's coastline -- etched with river valleys, forests, and lakes -- stretched miles farther than today. The earliest evidence of Native Americans in New England has come from around this time -- a period when hunters could have walked from Falmouth to Nantucket. Tantalizing clues to these times have been extracted from the sea. New England fishermen have hauled up wooly mammoth and mastodon teeth dozens of miles from shore. A Native American campsite was found on the banks of a submerged riverbed off Maine's Deer Isle. At Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, N.H., visitors at low tide can still find tree stumps and roots dating back almost 4,000 years. But these finds have little archaeological context. Scientists say the mastodon and mammoth teeth could have been swept out to sea by currents. The Native American campsite was so eroded it was difficult to extract a detailed story of the time period. And if any submerged settlements were at the Rye Beach drowned forest, erosion washed them away ''That's why the Nantucket Sound site is important," said David Robinson, senior underwater archaeologist for The Public Archaeology Laboratory Inc. in Pawtucket, R.I. He discovered the Nantucket Sound site two years ago. Article Tools * PRINTER FRIENDLYPrinter friendly * SINGLE PAGESingle page * E-MAILE-mail to a friend * RSS FEEDSMass. RSS feed * RSS FEEDSAvailable RSS feeds * MOST E-MAILEDMost e-mailed * REPRINTS/PERMISSIONSReprints/permissions More: * Globe City/Region stories | * Latest local news | * Globe front page | * http://Boston.com * Sign up for: Globe Headlines e-mail | * Breaking News Alerts ''It provides evidence to say these land forms can survive," he said. Through several sediment samples taken 30 to 50 feet below the water's surface east of Horseshoe Shoal, Robinson pieced together the ancient landscape. The birch wood retrieved from the site is only about 4 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. But the delicate root hairs, leaf pieces and seeds in the samples tell Robinson and other scientists that the area probably was entombed under mud, and thus kept safe from stormy seas and tides. ''We really don't know how big the area is . . . although there is some evidence is it is not tiny," said John King, a professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island who has helped Robinson analyze the samples. King said that if Native American cultural sites are to be found, an intact landscape has to be found first. ''You need to zero in on these places. Without narrowing down the haystack you are not going to find anything." The Native American story in New England and North America is incomplete. Archaeologists have long believed the first humans came to this continent about 12,000 years ago via a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska, following mammoths and other big game through the Great Plains, then farther east and south. But some scientists have put forth a different, controversial, theory: People migrated on a coastal route on the edge of the frozen north to get from Russia to the Pacific Coast -- or from Europe to North America. With the prehistoric shoreline under water, there has been little evidence to support the coastal hypothesis. If scientists find an intact underwater cultural site -- in Nantucket Sound or elsewhere -- it might provide evidence of tools or food gathering that could help settle the debate. Some scientists, however, say it's a fool's errand: Finding submerged settlements is so hard it's not worth the enormous time and expense. ''Most of the finds on land are fortuitous," said Robert Oldale, geologist emeritus of the US Geological Survey in Woods Hole, who has spent decades looking at the geology of Cape Cod's continental shelf. ''When you go offshore, it's thousands of times tougher." Robinson, who worked on excavating submerged Stone-Age settlements off Denmark this fall, said that once a site is found, it's no more difficult to excavate than a shipwreck. The sea's cold temperatures and lack of oxygen preserve items far better than conditions on land. Denmark's finds have included fabric and food residue in ceramic pots in waters similar in condition to those off New England. Archaeologists say the increase in projects off New England could help uncover sites of submerged settlements. As with projects on land, federal and state laws require offshore projects to hire archaeological companies to determine whether construction will harm historically significant remains. Cape Wind hired The Public Archaeology Laboratory. Historically, these underwater searches only meant one thing: shipwrecks. But technology is advancing to detect solid land below sea mud and sand, as is expertise around the world to excavate these sites. At Robinson's suggestion, officials at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary -- which protects a once-exposed plateau 25 miles off Boston -- is considering special protection for paleontological resources in a new management plan it is drafting. Robinson isn't sure when he'll study the Nantucket Sound site further. The area is difficult to dive and there is no money for surveying. But he's finishing his doctorate on these types of sites, and once he gets better data about underwater landscapes, he will start looking for drowned riverbanks because he knows Native American sites on land have been found on riverbanks. He hopes to one day take a magnetic sensor over potential areas, where ancient hearths will give off a telltale ping. If Robinson does find a site, he will use the same archaeological tools used to research underwater shipwrecks to scrape and brush away the seabed. Divers can dig excavation test pits with a water dredge, which gently vacuums sediment from the sea floor in layers to capture artifacts in a mesh bag. ''We would go slowly and methodically, just like we would do on land," he said. ''Everyone has always said this is impossible. It's not. It just requires a different way of approaching the problem."
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#1. To: All, zipporah, mirage, red jones (#0)
more proof of Noahs flood.
To love the government is to hate the American people!!!
I have a question.. I know you're INTO trying to prove all these things.. now what difference does it make truthfully to those who aren't believers? How does this effect them? Now you also keep posting stuff about the sin of homosexuality.. etc etc.. that these people are going to hell.. and I believe I read something too about Catholics.. now what is the criteria for someone to go to heaven?
Click to see: Making a difference in Iraq
Woods Hole, Cape Cod, and Nantucket island are super places to visit, and get around great meals of seafood.
The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
I found this article hitting your boston globe link on the side. I thought it was very interesting considering my worldview. So obviously I posted it. I think the differnece it could make to unbelievers is this. They can say hmm there is a forest buried under the sea. Maybe the story of Noah is true afterall. I don't think I ever said any indivudual was going to hell. The bible does say that people who don't "accept" christ will reach that destination though. What I basically said about catholics is that they have perverted the scriptures. That they have a guy called the pope that they think can speak from the "holy sea" truths from God himself. That the pope can contradict the Bible and say it is of God. Im sure people who call themselves catholic will make it to heaven too. My point is to give a little evidence here and a little there to draw on a bigger picture. That the Bible is true and we can rely on it.
To love the government is to hate the American people!!!
I bet your right. I've never been there. I'll try to get there sometime in this short life.
To love the government is to hate the American people!!!
LOL!! Nothing at all about sin in it is there?
Click to see: Making a difference in Iraq
I think I agree with everything except that one.
To love the government is to hate the American people!!!
Nope - just speaking your belief in One God and the forgivness of sins.
I was curious as to what you're view is.. the article is interesting.. It just seemed that you have a concentration on the sin rather than the escape.
Click to see: Making a difference in Iraq
the creed doesnt use the capital C ... as in Roman Catholic.
Click to see: Making a difference in Iraq
You gotta admit, if you believe in the Bible or not. This story does lend a little credence to the story of Noahs flood.
To love the government is to hate the American people!!!
Hey, this explains Roanoke Colony don't it? The whole missing colony that disappeared. It's likely buried deep in the mud. To AKA Stone, the fact that Glaciers exist, is proof of Noah's Flood. We all know what Glaciers are, gigantic ice sheets. Now, what is ice made of? WATER. What ice do when it melts? CREATES A LOT OF WATER AND FLOODING. GO FIGURE. I don't believe in organized religion, or anything that even smacks of a doctrine written by people who could not see the future. They only knew what they knew at the time, and if you go further and further back into the history of humankind, you'll see all kinds of Gods, Dieties, and catastrophes that humanity has to have overcome. There will always be evil people, and there will always be a messiah that leads humanity. You want proof that there is no God? God as he is written about in the new and old testaments, would not sacrifice his only begotten son to save the souls of a bunch of useless morons who couldn't see the truth of what their lives are. The Christian Bible has and will always be used to usurp the free will of humanity. It's the only book that I've seen that says you must pay tithe and tribute to both God, and Government. The God I believe in, doesn't need my money. The God I believe in, doesn't manifest himself through traitors and liars who rule over me. If that's your god, then so be it. My God will ALWAYS reign supreme over yours, because My God only wants my faith, and nothing else.
#2. To: A K A Stone (#1)
#3. To: A K A Stone (#0)
#4. To: Zipporah (#2)
I think this may cover your question
#5. To: Zipporah (#2)
I have a question.. I know you're INTO trying to prove all these things.. now what difference does it make truthfully to those who aren't believers? How does this effect them? Now you also keep posting stuff about the sin of homosexuality.. etc etc.. that these people are going to hell.. and I believe I read something too about Catholics.. now what is the criteria for someone to go to heaven?
#6. To: lodwick (#3)
Woods Hole, Cape Cod, and Nantucket island are super places to visit, and get around great meals of seafood.
#7. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#4)
#8. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#4)
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
#9. To: Zipporah (#7)
#10. To: A K A Stone (#5)
#11. To: A K A Stone (#8)
I think I agree with everything except that one.
#12. To: Zipporah (#10)
the article is interesting.
#13. To: lodwick (#3)
 | So many morons, so few bullets. |
#14. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#13)
It says no such thing. If there is a real God. Why wouldn't he give us a book to know about him. What would he just leave us to figure it out for ourselves.
It's the only book that I've seen that says you must pay tithe and tribute to both God, and Government.
To love the government is to hate the American people!!!
#15. To: A K A Stone (#0)
Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war. – Donald Rumsfeld
#16. To: A K A Stone (#14)
Apparently you must have skipped over the part where Jesus speaks on taxation. He says give to Ceasar What Is Ceasars, and give to God what is God's. Then there's the whole tithe issue to the churches, and other stuff regarding Israel as being the center of the universe. Yeah... Like I'm going to believe God appoints people to rule over me who are vile, despicable traitors to my people, and that I'm supposed to pay taxes and tithe to church and government. Yeah.. That's a real great God you got there.
| So many morons, so few bullets. |
#17. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#13)
The fact is there is a forest buried under the sea. The glaciers part is just speculation. You can also say my noahs flood is just speculation. However the Bible written thousands of years ago says there was a global flood. If that was true you would expect to find some evidence of it. You do find evidence of it in the fossil record ( millions of dead things buried in mud laid down by water all over the earth). That is what you find. Also lots of other things. Now we find a forest buried under the sea. Can't you admit that this at the very least gives a little credence to the story of noahs flood, that is found in the Bible.
the fact that Glaciers exist, is proof of Noah's Flood. We all know what Glaciers are, gigantic ice sheets. Now, what is ice made of? WATER. What ice do when it melts? CREATES A LOT OF WATER AND FLOODING. GO FIGURE.
If you hate the American people, your going to really love their government.
#18. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#16)
It is my postition that you min interpreted that verse. Please consider looking at it this way. If you are Gods give yourself to God. If you are the governments then give to the government. Jesus did also say that he and his followers were not of this world.
Apparently you must have skipped over the part where Jesus speaks on taxation. He says give to Ceasar What Is Ceasars, and give to God what is God's
If you hate the American people, your going to really love their government.
#19. To: TommyTheMadArtist, zipporah (#16)
Yeah... Like I'm going to believe God appoints people to rule over me who are vile, despicable traitors to my people, and that I'm supposed to pay taxes and tithe to church and government. Yeah.. That's a real great God you got there. I don't think tithes are mentioned in the new testament. Tithes are part of the old covenant. (what you think zip). The new covnant uses the word offerings I think. So you give of your own free will. Im not positive though. I'll have to study it more.
Then there's the whole tithe issue to the churches, and other stuff regarding Israel as being the center of the universe.
If you hate the American people, your going to really love their government.
#20. To: A K A Stone (#19)
It is the OT testament.. the concept being (and this applies to the old as well).. all belongs to God.. therefore we give what we are led to give.. and it doesnt necessarily mean to a church.
Click to see: Making a difference in Iraq
#21. To: A K A Stone (#1)
Well, more proof that we have a lot to learn, actually. It will be interesting to see what conclusions are drawn from this and what results come of investigating this find. Methinks it would be wise to reserve judgment until more facts are in.
more proof of Noahs flood.
#22. To: A K A Stone (#17)
Yep and plenty of those bizarre creatures no longer exist. Was there not enough room on the ark? And you never answered how the Koalas got to the MidEast. TIA.
You do find evidence of it in the fossil record ( millions of dead things buried in mud laid down by water all over the earth). That is what you find.
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#23. To: Dude Lebowski (#22)
No they went extinct after the flood.
Yep and plenty of those bizarre creatures no longer exist. Was there not enough room on the ark?
If you hate the American people, your going to really love their government.
#24. To: A K A Stone (#1)
I believe that a global flood occurred, but how is this proof of it? The water's from the flood returned to where they came from, the great deep.
more proof of Noahs flood.
God is always good!
"It was an interesting day." - President Bush, recalling 9/11 [White House, 1/5/02]
#25. To: RickyJ (#24)
Good point. Did all the waters return to the great deep? I'm not sure. Maybe when they returned to the great deep they landscape was different so some places got buried. That is connected to the great deep.
I believe that a global flood occurred, but how is this proof of it? The water's from the flood returned to where they came from, the great deep
If you hate the American people, your going to really love their government.
#26. To: A K A Stone (#23)
But wait a sec. You contend that the reason they are fossilized is not through the passage of hundreds of millions of years of being buried beneath layers of sediment, but rather because the great flood left them at the bottom. So how did it happen that they went extinct for inexplicable reasons after the flood had concluded, then in a postmortem state dug themselves to the bottom of the ground to await our discovery, fuel our vehicles and cast doubt on our faith in the Lord Almighty.
No they went extinct after the flood.
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#27. To: All (#26)
Interesting article about my home state... STUPID remarks about what it proves... it PROVES nothing aside from the fact that glaciers existed and melted, changing the coastlines... Also, Cape Cod is a very cool place to visit~!!... but AKA Stone & Mr. Red, YOU must be warned, one of the LARGEST groups of homosexuals in the East is to be found living in P-town (Provincetown) at the furthermost tip of the cape. They rule there. It's their turf so if you visit the cape and can't handle it, DON'T go there. Iffen you do go there, be prepared to watch a gay pride parade through P-Town at precisely 5 pm EVERY NIGHT... and gays OPENLY displaying their affection.
Don't force feed me your views... talk to me so I can hear you...
#28. To: Zipporah, all (#20)
Jesus instructs his followers to RENDER UNTO CESAER that which is due (your taxes and tithes). He THEN instructs his followers to GIVE UP ALL THEIR BELONGINGS AND TO FOLLOW HIM... he remarks that it is easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle than to follow Jesus... He expects you to give up EVERYTHING material because material possessions make humans greedy and make them worship their STUFF... Soooooo, it seems to me that the modern idea of giving up 10% in tithes is a man~made adaptation... ya think? Jesus is VERY CLEAR in what he expects and wants from those who believe in him, but frankly, I've not seen many follow his instructions. Not in giving up all their worldly goods and certainly not in turning the other cheek for their enemy to slap it too... Human beings are simply NOT godlike...
It is the OT testament.. the concept being (and this applies to the old as well).. all belongs to God.. therefore we give what we are led to give.. and it doesnt necessarily mean to a church.
Don't force feed me your views... talk to me so I can hear you...
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