During the recent winter solstice, people gathered at Salisbury Plain in England to watch the sunrise over one of the most ancient and mysterious sites in the world – Stonehenge. It was a some years ago that I, myself, gazed upon this megalithic structure. Although much has been learned about Stonehenge thanks to archeological research, it still remains quite enigmatic and there are many questions yet to be answered.
The coastal town of Newport, Rhode Island is famously known for its Gilded Age mansions. Lesser known is a structure that looks like it came right out of the Middle Ages. Sitting in a small park, it’s the remnants of a round tower built of stone. The origins of the Newport Tower have been a source of public debate since at least the first half of the 19th century. A variety of theories exist, many asserting that the tower predates the arrival of Columbus. Continue reading →
