Dighton rock was discovered in river Massachusetts. In the year 1963, it was excavated for storage and later listed among the artifacts in the year 1980 (Hurstwic.org par. 23). Dighton rock is sandstone of about 40 tons. It is a six-sided slanting block, approximately 3.4m long, 1.5m high and 2.5m wide (Hurstwic.org par. 23). It is classified as an artifact due to the inscriptions found on one side of the rock.
The rock has a crystalline, grey-brown appearance. Currently, the rock is located in Dighton museum in Massachusetts and can only be viewed on an appointment basis. The original place where it was found has been converted into a park open to the public (Department of Conservation and Recreation par. 1).
This inscription dated back in the 17th century. It has been classified as an important archeological tool. The inscriptions found on the stone are believed to have been made by the Indians according to the 17th century American scholars (Hurstwic.org par. 24). Other scholars urge that this historical landmark is linked to Portuguese explorers who visited the Americus.
The surface where the inscriptions are located has a trapezoidal countenance inclined at an angle. The stone was found inclined 70 degrees northwest, with the inscriptions oriented towards the waters of the bay (Hurstwic.org par. 24). The inscriptions found in the rock were identified to have originated from Portugal by an American scholar in the 20th century.
This scholar went ahead to suggest that the tool used to make the inscription to be bug-eyed aliens (Hurstwic.org par. 27). The evidence retrieved from the site back the theory suggested by the American scholar. There are many theories that have been put in place to try to explain the origin and meaning of the inscriptions (Massachusetts Historical Society par. 1).
Currently, scholars have not adopted any theory as that can be used to explain the mystery surrounding the rock. Artists, on the other hand, have also come up with numerous arguments about the artistic nature of the rock leading to varied explanations about the origin of the art used to decorate the rock (Massachusetts Historical Society par. 10).
The most credited explanation on who made the inscriptions goes to Rafn Carl C., the Secretary of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries in Copenhagen in the year 1830 who linked the inscriptions on the rock to the Norse explorers who are believed to be among the earliest explorers to have reached North America (Hurstwic.org par. 28).
The information available about Dighton Rock places it at the center of three important groups in American history (Department of Conservation and Recreation par. 1). These groups are the Portuguese, Indians, and the Norse. This proves that these three groups must have been among the earliest settlers of North America.
All these groups of people are linked to this artifact proving that they might have something to do with the artifact or maybe they interacted at the time this artifact was made creating a link of all three groups to the artifact. This artifact can, therefore, be used in the development of American history. As a form of evidence, it can trace the origin of three of the ancient American settlers.
Therefore, it is a significant archeological artifact that can be studied and used in explaining the cultural practices carried out by the ancient settlers of the Americas (Massachusetts Historical Society par. 9). The form of communication relayed by the inscriptions on the curving proves the existence of writing skills in the enceinte times.
Besides, the message put in the inscriptions is linked to natives and explorers. The most important aspect of this rock is the rich history it carries and therefore, its use in historical studies enhances understanding of the past civilizations.
Works Cited
Department of Conservation and Recreation. Dighton Rock State Park. 2013. Web.
Hurstwic.org. Dighton Rock in Berkley 2003. Web.
Massachusetts Historical Society. Seth Eastman on Dighton Rock. 2013. Web.