Discover the 9000-Year-Old ‘Stonehenge-Like’ Structure Found in Lake Michigan
Discover the 9000-Year-Old ‘Stonehenge-Like’ Structure Found in Lake Michigan
Story by Jennifer Geer •
6h
Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan is the site of dozens of known shipwrecks. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the bay was a hub for maritime trade, and many boats were lost to the lake during this time. While archeologists were diving to search and study the shipwrecks, they came across something entirely different, something they weren’t expecting.
Hidden under the waters of Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan are shipwrecks, significant cultural sights, and even a 1970s Ford Pinto. ©KURJANPHOTO/iStock via Getty Images Hidden under the waters of Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan are shipwrecks, significant cultural sights, and even a 1970s Ford Pinto. ©KURJANPHOTO/iStock via Getty Images © Provided by AZ Animals ‘Stonehenge-Like’ Structure Found in Lake Michigan In 2007, Dr. Mark Holley, a professor of underwater archaeology at Northwestern Michigan University, discovered a prehistoric structure about 40 feet below the surface of Lake Michigan in Grand Traverse Bay.
Much like a smaller version of England’s Stonehenge, these stones appeared to have been arranged in a deliberate manner. To be clear, these structures are much smaller than the massive boulders in England’s Stonehenge. The largest stones at Stonehenge are as much as 30 feet tall—the rocks found under Grand Traverse Bay range in size from a basketball to a compact car.
However, what’s fascinating is that they seem to have been placed there deliberately. According to Dr. Holley, the stones are arranged in a long line, over one mile in length.
One rock in particular caught the scientist’s eye. A boulder about three and a half to four feet high and five feet wide was found with a prehistoric carving of a mastodon etched into the stone. Both animals have been extinct for about 11,00 years.
Dating on the stones traces back to around 9,000 years ago. That is 4,000 years before Stonehenge was built, and around two thousand years after the Ice Age ended. It was at a time when the lake bed was dry and before Grand Traverse Bay existed.
Where is Grand Traverse Bay on the Map? Grand Traverse Bay is 32 miles long and 12 miles wide. It’s located on the northeastern arm of Lake Michigan and bordered by Michigan’s lower peninsula. Shipwrecks are popular dive sights for tourists. Some require full scuba gear, but others can be explored with just a snorkel, mask, and fins.
Can the Public Visit the ‘Stonehenge-Like’ Structure Found in Lake Michigan?
Aside from it being 40 feet underwater, the exact location of the Lake Michigan Stonehenge-like structure is unpublished. When Dr. Holley made the discovery, he contacted the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa tribes of Native Americans. The tribal council decided it was best to keep the exact location confidential out of respect for their ancestors and to prevent destruction to the structure. For now, the exact location of the site is unknown to the public.
Who Placed the Stones and Why? Because the stones are underwater, archeologists find it challenging to reach them for analysis. Not much new information has come out since the initial discovery in 2007. This has led to many theories and speculation surrounding the lore of the stones. However, we can look to other stone structures discovered in the area for clues.
Caribou Hunting Site Found Beneath Lake Huron Although we don’t know why or even if, the stones were placed by humans in Grand Traverse Bay, we do know more about a similar stone structure in Michigan. Dr. John O’Shea, from the University of Michigan, has studied a 9,000-year-old rock formation found in the bottom of Lake Huron. About 120 feet under the water, along the Alpena-Amberley Ridge, researchers found lines of rocks they believed ancient hunters used to funnel caribou during the hunt. Though the area is underwater today, at one time, it was a land bridge connecting Michigan to southern Ontario.
A 9,000-year-old hunting structure for funneling caribou is located under Lake Huron. ©CSDigitalMedia/Shutterstock.com A 9,000-year-old hunting structure for funneling caribou is located under Lake Huron. ©CSDigitalMedia/Shutterstock.com © Provided by AZ Animals The Beaver Island Stone Circle Beaver Island, located in northern Lake Michigan is the largest island in the lake. It’s also home to a similar grouping of ancient rocks. On the west side of the island, along the Reddings Trail, is a circle of glacial boulders. There are markings on some of the boulders, and one in the middle has a hole carved into it, about the right size to hold a pole.
Molex 1731100010 9 Position D-Sub Plug, Male Pins Connector Molex 1731100010 9 Position D-Sub Plug, Male Pins Connector Ad Digi-Key Electronics Although not much research has been done on the boulders – no carbon dating or other analysis has occurred, it is believed that these stones held important significance for the Native Americans who once lived on the island. There are theories the stone circle was used as an ancient calendar or to mark the movement of the stars.
More Research is Needed on ‘Stonehenge-Like’ Structure Found in Lake Michigan Was the rock formation in Grand Traverse Bay used as a hunting tool for ancient caribou hunters, similar to the one found under Lake Huron, or maybe as a calendar to predict the movement of the sun, moon, and other planets, like at Stonehenge? Until archeologists can conduct more research on the project, the Lake Michigan “Stonehenge” will remain a mystery.
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