For those of you not familiar with "America Unearthed", it's a "H2" show that follows forensic geologist Scott Wolter as he crisscrossing the country looking for archaeological mysteries to solve. While the show has yet to discover any earth shattering truths, it does introduce some artifacts I've never heard of. My favorites from previous seasons are "The Great Wall Of Texas", "Underwater Pyramids", and "Mystery In Roanoke". See my reviews of seasons 1 and 2 here
Disclaimer: Do I think all of Scott's assertions are scientifically valid? No (sorry nothing personal Scott). But I do think its interesting to ask the questions. Both "America Unearthed" and its sister shows "Ancient Aliens" and "America's Book Of Secrets" should be viewed as entertainment and not as hard core investigative journalism.
The first episodes of season 3 are:
The World According To GMonster
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality
Disclaimer: Do I think all of Scott's assertions are scientifically valid? No (sorry nothing personal Scott). But I do think its interesting to ask the questions. Both "America Unearthed" and its sister shows "Ancient Aliens" and "America's Book Of Secrets" should be viewed as entertainment and not as hard core investigative journalism.
The first episodes of season 3 are:
Davy's Last Stand (Or Not)?
"Secrets From The Alamo"- In the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 Davy Crockett and a few brave Texans (189 to be exact) held out as long as possible against 1800 members of the Mexican Army led by General Santa Anna. The battle lasted for 13 days. History tells us that Davy was the last to die. But what if Santa Anna saved Crockett's life instead?
A family asserts that Davy survived and went to Double Springs, Alabama. They point to a land deed and a newspaper article about him as proof. He is also known to have hunted there previously. They believe his body is buried on their land (but excavators are never able to locate it). In exploring Davy's background Scott reveals that there was bad blood between Crockett and President Andrew Jackson (the guy from the $20 bill) over his treatment of Native Americans. This difference of opinion is what prompted him to leave politics.
Crockett was apparently also a Freemason. Could that have saved his life? There were Freemasons on the other side of the battle. Later Santa Anna's life was spared by Sam Houston when he supposedly revealed the "Masonic sign of distress" (which is two upstretched hands). The story of Masons saving one another has been reported numerous times throughout history. In my own family, it is told that my great, great, great grandfather's life was spared during the Civil War because he was a Mason.
Scott visits one of Crockett's descendants in Tennessee. She does not believe the story in Alabama is true. She points out that there were a number of gentleman named "Davy Crockett" in the area at the time. They evaluate some documents from the real Davy Crockett. According to a handwriting expert, the land deed does not match. My money is on this being a different Davy Crockett.
A family asserts that Davy survived and went to Double Springs, Alabama. They point to a land deed and a newspaper article about him as proof. He is also known to have hunted there previously. They believe his body is buried on their land (but excavators are never able to locate it). In exploring Davy's background Scott reveals that there was bad blood between Crockett and President Andrew Jackson (the guy from the $20 bill) over his treatment of Native Americans. This difference of opinion is what prompted him to leave politics.
Crockett was apparently also a Freemason. Could that have saved his life? There were Freemasons on the other side of the battle. Later Santa Anna's life was spared by Sam Houston when he supposedly revealed the "Masonic sign of distress" (which is two upstretched hands). The story of Masons saving one another has been reported numerous times throughout history. In my own family, it is told that my great, great, great grandfather's life was spared during the Civil War because he was a Mason.
Scott visits one of Crockett's descendants in Tennessee. She does not believe the story in Alabama is true. She points out that there were a number of gentleman named "Davy Crockett" in the area at the time. They evaluate some documents from the real Davy Crockett. According to a handwriting expert, the land deed does not match. My money is on this being a different Davy Crockett.
There's Gold In Them There Hills
"Guardians Of Superstition Mountain"- Is the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine real and, if so, where is it located. A prospector named Jacob Waltz supposedly found it and paid for everything with gold. On his deathbed he revealed the location to his nurse. There are lots of versions of this story. There's also a curse. The Native American Thunder God protects the mine. There have been at least two homicides and a number of other deaths due to the extreme conditions or accidents.
We learn of a treasure map carved in stone (called the Peralta stones). Legend says the Peralta family found the mine and then uses these 100 lb stones to reveal it's location but only among themselves. We see replicas and pictures of the stones (but never the actual stones). Carved on the stones are: a heart, a horse, a number (or date) and a figure (perhaps a priest or banker). The figure may be pointing to Weaver's Needle (which is a prominent landmark).
Scott meets a gentleman who shows him ore that he says is from the Lost Dutchman Mine. Another deciphers what he think the Peralta stones mean. Scott goes to search on private property in the eastern Superstition Mountains (in Arizona). He finds some gold but not the mine. Later they discuss the Mammoth Mine (which may be the actual location of the Dutchman Mine). If so, it was there all along and never "lost".
The Peralta Stones are finally located at the Superstition Mountain Museum. The curator shows how the map works and it is very interesting. Scott visits Waltz's final resting place. He may have taken the location of the mine into the afterlife with him.
We learn of a treasure map carved in stone (called the Peralta stones). Legend says the Peralta family found the mine and then uses these 100 lb stones to reveal it's location but only among themselves. We see replicas and pictures of the stones (but never the actual stones). Carved on the stones are: a heart, a horse, a number (or date) and a figure (perhaps a priest or banker). The figure may be pointing to Weaver's Needle (which is a prominent landmark).
Scott meets a gentleman who shows him ore that he says is from the Lost Dutchman Mine. Another deciphers what he think the Peralta stones mean. Scott goes to search on private property in the eastern Superstition Mountains (in Arizona). He finds some gold but not the mine. Later they discuss the Mammoth Mine (which may be the actual location of the Dutchman Mine). If so, it was there all along and never "lost".
The Peralta Stones are finally located at the Superstition Mountain Museum. The curator shows how the map works and it is very interesting. Scott visits Waltz's final resting place. He may have taken the location of the mine into the afterlife with him.
I've Been To The Devil's Courthouse Many Times And Never Saw Any Giants. I Once Encountered A Bear (But It Wasnt A Giant)
"The Appalachian Giant"- Is there any truth to the Cherokee Indian legend of a giant (or giants) roaming the mountains? Scott investigates first the Judaculla Rock (outside of Sylva, NC) and the Red Bird Petroglyphs (in Manchester, KY). Were these petroglyphs created by Native Americans, Europeans, early colonists, ancient aliens or are they hoaxes? Are they maps, astronomical charts or none of the above?
The Judaculla Rock supposedly references a giant named Tsul Kalu that the Cherokee were afraid of. He would chase them if they entered his hunting grounds. He had seven fingers. The area around where he lived is currently known as Devil's Courthouse (which is a really cool place if you havent been there). Is the Tsul Kalu story similar to Paul Bunyan? There are lots of old giant stories bouncing around. And dont forget about Goliath from the Bible. He was supposedly from a race of giants too.
Off Scott goes to Manchester KY. He examines the Red Bird stones. He also meets a descendant of Red Bird who takes him to where the rock previously was before falling (it was above a two lane road). Scott next goes to see a giant's head. But after the commercial break (of course) we learn it's not really a giant's head. It's a big rock carved in the shape of a head. How come that guy couldnt see that? Even I know that (and I'm not an archaeologist).
So what did we learn from all of this? Scott thinks both the Judaculla and Red Bird rocks are Cherokee. And they didnt have contact with Europeans. At least Scott is not pushing the alien theory... not this week anyway. I also learned what Ogham is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogham It's a medieval Irish language that is inscribed on numerous objects in the British Isles.
The Judaculla Rock supposedly references a giant named Tsul Kalu that the Cherokee were afraid of. He would chase them if they entered his hunting grounds. He had seven fingers. The area around where he lived is currently known as Devil's Courthouse (which is a really cool place if you havent been there). Is the Tsul Kalu story similar to Paul Bunyan? There are lots of old giant stories bouncing around. And dont forget about Goliath from the Bible. He was supposedly from a race of giants too.
Off Scott goes to Manchester KY. He examines the Red Bird stones. He also meets a descendant of Red Bird who takes him to where the rock previously was before falling (it was above a two lane road). Scott next goes to see a giant's head. But after the commercial break (of course) we learn it's not really a giant's head. It's a big rock carved in the shape of a head. How come that guy couldnt see that? Even I know that (and I'm not an archaeologist).
So what did we learn from all of this? Scott thinks both the Judaculla and Red Bird rocks are Cherokee. And they didnt have contact with Europeans. At least Scott is not pushing the alien theory... not this week anyway. I also learned what Ogham is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogham It's a medieval Irish language that is inscribed on numerous objects in the British Isles.
Grade: 3 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). Of these three episodes, my favorite was "The Appalachian Giant" probably because it deals with my neck of the woods. On the negative side, I have mentioned this previously but the pace of "America Unearthed" frustrates me. The information spread out over one hour could easily be condensed into 30 minutes (but no one asked me). I dont review "America Unearthed" on a weekly basis but will check back intermittently to see what Scott is up to.
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality
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