The Mystery Stone of Lake Winnipesaukee

In 1872, a mysterious object was found near Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire by some construction workers. Seneca A. Ladd of Meredith (a local businessman who hired the workers and credited for the discovery), discovered an intriguing carved stone within the clay casing. He described it as a dark, odd-looking, egg-shaped stone with a variety of carvings, including a face, teepee, ear of corn and starlike circles. The carved stone has 4 inches long and 2.5 inches thick. Several archaeologists have speculated about the “Mystery Stone’s” origin for over one hundred years. However, until now, the age, purpose, and origin of this mysterious stone's are still unknown.

 

Mystery Stone of Lake Winnipesaukee

Later in 1927, Frances Ladd Coe of Center Harbor, the daughter of Seneca Ladd, donated the "Mystery Stone" to the New Hampshire Historical Society.

In 1994, a borescope analysis was performed by the state officials to analyse the stone's holes. Interestingly, Richard Boisvert reported on an article which published by Associated Press in 2006. He suggested that the holes were drilled in both ends with different size of bits by power tools from the 19th or 20th century. Each bore is straight, not tapered. Scratches in the lower bore suggest it was placed on a metal shaft and removed several times. Based on previous analysis, it is concluded that the stone is a type of quartzite which derived from mylonite or sandstone.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Winnipesaukee_mystery_stone;
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-englands-mystery-stone/;
http://www.nhhistory.org/museumexhibits/mysterystone/mysterystone.htm

Pic Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lake_Winnipesaukee_mystery_stone_at_the_New_Hampshire_Historical_Society,_Concord_NH.jpg