Karola Bryant reading stones in the northerneastern US, an archeological study

Went out for a run in woods the day before yesterday, stopping where the previous night's heavy rain had washed away debris from a stream side. You can zoom in the image above,and note that just about every stone in this image is an artifact. Up here in Maine, it is like this, tools strewn everywhere. These artifacts come embellished with information. Tools, pendants, counting stones, stela, as well and large scale cliff carvings, and erratic, stones all covered with information. Information created by humans, for humans. Information intended to be seen and understood by fellow humans.   At first it seemed to recall the totems of the Haida folks of the northeastern coast of the U.S.  A pictorial form of writing foreshadowing character writing as in the Asian format. After spending a lot of time looking at the design I began to realize this is more then a totem design. A friend living in Spain, Roca,  who also finds stones to carry communications from the past in his ...

    I have been sharing my observations of a world wide pictorial form of communication.  I first introduced the pictorial form with the stone totem pole of Gobekli Tepe where there is agreement among most that it is manmade and even a possible dating. I have observed similar patterns and subject in stones here in the state of Maine. I have become comfortable with understanding the form and patterns of the stones in Maine. I am now taking a moment to acknowledge that there is  a similarity with totem designs around the world.  To some who are familiar with my efforts I apologize for sounding repetitive as I briefly explain myself. I also suggest that those that are new here can read more on previous publications of this blog.     I live in Maine. I have been following the human mark here for a long time. Starting with Clovis points on the beach and noting the napping pattern. I then noted other tools and points not Clovis in design at all. Meander...

   In a recent publication about the Wonderwerk formation in the Kalahari desert, it is described as the oldest home ever found. It states that the cave was occupied 1.8 million years ago. It is said to contain the earliest records of tool making and fire. In the article there is a large stalagmite pillar in the middle of the photograph. A colleague had recognized the same patterns in the pillar as in the totem designs I was finding here in Maine. In this article the researchers are using the orientation of the clay particles and the history of the magnetic field at the time the particles settled on the cave floor to find dates. They are also able to get information from grains of sand collected on the cave and the varying isotopes to further workout the time frame for stone tools and debris left behind in layers by our ancestors. It was pointed out by my colleague that this may shed some light on when the totem design took shape.       I was able to contac...

      I have been working at mapping out characters on the totem stone on most of the previous publications in hope of finding a potential timeline. Finding images in the stones around me has not been easy. Trying to convince the folks around me was like bringing a horse to water. Even those most close to me would find jest in my efforts, suggesting we play the pareidolia game. I am happy to say that I now have support from most of my loved ones. In this publication I would like to thank those that were brave enough to believe. This does require an open mind and a good eye. It helps if you already have an interest in art or archeology.       At first I did not really care about the timeline. I was often probed for the chronology of this work, as if it was the only matter that would make the work real.  I suggested that as an artist, I was more interested in just making the public aware that this art existed. I became a crusader trying to...

            Hopefully there is enough confidence to identify our dig from the group above. This photo was taken in the early spring morning along the coast of Maine. Please take the time to look at all the other stones. Like art and the artists that produce it, they are unique to a place and time. The artist would be influenced by traditions and methods popular to their culture of their time. Each generation taking from the past and adding the present for the future. Fads and techniques had their hay day. One might think that erosion and patina is a sign of aging but it can be done intentionally over a short period. The signs of erosion can indicate age but it also can be explained by a good tumble with sand and water. The tumble with sand can be caused naturally but it can be done intentionally. The artist had options if he wanted a particular finish for the final product. Even the quality of patina can be intentionally created. The ancient human was ...

Think of the most placid place It is where will find yourself in a canoe Your long paddle slips into the still water ahead      Above I have chosen to take a step away from writing and instead allow for the stone to speak for it self. The initial shape recalls a feather with a white tip. It also reads as a human in a canoe paddling. There is a quiet serenity. Please take a moment to voyage back in time. Sublime.

      The following series of  pictures below are all of the same tool picked out from the group of tools above. I am not here to reinvent the tool.  I have found embellishments by humans for humans that merge with the tool.  For me, this embellishment, is what confirms the stone's history as a tool. This revelation may not be for the faint of heart.  So, we are not here for reinventing a serrated edge, curved knife, drill, concave scrapers of sizes almost standardize. Yes, these tools are actually standardized by the human hand.  Like the inch to the thumb, it is made ergonomically to fit the human hand. All the tools you may need on one handy dandy stone. With that said, this is an open discussion. The questions are infinite. I may be totally wrong about everything, but prove me wrong, and make my day. 😇         the stones are highlighted, using a pen with my computer, with some of the forms that appear within the totem. Ple...