Bourne stone, Archaeological boulder in Bourne, Massachusetts, US
The Bourne Stone is a granite boulder weighing about 300 pounds with two rows of carved marks cut into its surface, displayed at the Museums at Aptucxet. The object dates from an era when Native Americans and European settlers shared the same land in this region.
The stone served as a threshold for a gathering house used by Native Americans around 1680 and is documented in early colonial records. This documentation proves the object survived from the period of first contact between indigenous peoples and Europeans.
The carved marks on the stone come from Native American hands and tell a story through symbols that people once confused with other cultures. Visitors can see how experts now understand these signs as a window into communication practices of the time.
The stone is housed in a museum where it can be viewed during operating hours. Plan to spend time examining the carved marks up close, and check the museum's schedule before your visit.
The marks were long thought to be Norse runes by some people, but researchers found they are much older and of different origin. This confusion illustrates how challenging it can be to correctly identify ancient symbols without careful study.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
