Coming next week . . . another chapter in America’s forgotten past . . . the Alec Mountain Stove Oval

Habersham County, Georgia

It probably dates from around 3,500 -3,000 BC. A Harvard University archaeology professor studied it briefly in 1951, but his profession has apparently forgotten the structure. Actually, from reading his report, it is obvious that he didn’t have clue about the significance of what he was digging test ditches within. The Stone Oval is in surprisingly good condition, despite its age and lack of governmental conservation.

The Alec Mountain Stone Oval is precisely aligned to Solar South, but has a slot in the wall aligned to the azimuth of the Winter Solstice Sunrise. Although Alec Mountain has several, almost level, natural terraces, its builders intentionally constructed the shrine on an approximately 10% slope. There must be astronomical reasons for this decision. Stone ovals, dating from the Late Neolithic Period in the Eastern Highlands of Scotland, also have slots oriented to the Winter Solstice Sunset.

I recently obtained a LIDAR scan and high resolution topographic data for the site from the United States Geological Survey. This enabled me to create a precise computer model of the structure and surrounding terrain. The Alec Mountain Stone Oval meets every criteria for becoming a National Historic Landmark.

Richard L. Thornton, Architect and City Planner

A Sneak Preview . . .

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