More headlines in the news

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080824/NEWS/808240336/-1/NEWS15

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080824/NEWS/808240335/0/NEWS15

Making Headlines

http://www.wickedlocal.com/orleans/news/x2143030467/Student-sleuths-hit-the-rocks

Meeting with Mr. Mastone

Yesterday, we were joined by Victor Mastone, Director and Chief Archaeologist Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources. He spoke to the group about what is involved in conducting underwater archaeological research and the need for the appropriate permitting. Students asked Mr. Mastone a series of questions and then presented him with a preliminary proposal for a Special Use Permit. The "X Rock" as we have come to call it is one piece of demonstrable proof which is needed to obtain the permit. We learned that it will be important for us to work with an archaeologist who will take the lead on this project but were excited to learn that we will be able to do some preliminary measuring and analysis.

In other news, it appears as though we'll be getting some divers in the water in just a few weeks to look for a cluster of rocks in the Truro area. Exciting news!

By Way of Background

To get a better understanding of what we're looking for, read this:
http://www.slade-associates.com/survey.htm

Even More Seminar Reflections

What theories do you have?

• I never would have thought of a theory like this but thinking about it does make sense. The Pilgrims needed to survey the land into even, balanced sections. Putting a stone in the center to work as an origin point just seems like a perfect idea the Pilgrims might have used. --RACHEL
• I have the theory that the Pilgrims used that 90 degree angle to plan the towns. That's based on the cornerstone so to prove it we could dive. -- MITCH

More Seminar Reflections

What questions do you still have?

• How did the Pilgrims know exactly where magnetic north is? How did they move the rock? -- RYAN
• I don't have any questions because I'm positive that there is a cornerstone because of the evidence we have found in other places such as literature and other rocks that could have been used in the mapping process of Cape Cod. -- HENRY
• How would the pilgrims find the geographic lines that they would mark the stones with? -- JOEY
• Whose idea was this? What type of rock is this? -- ERIC
• Does the X on the rock mean anything? -- MITCH

Seminar Reflections

What have you learned so far by being in this seminar?

• I have learned that I love history. The more I learn, the more questions and theories I have. -- RYAN
• The Pilgrims were a lot smarter than I thought. -- JONNY
• The Pilgrims used complex math to divide the towns." --MATT
• Throughout this seminar, my thirst for our past has grown. I love history and always will. Through this challenge, I have learned how they mapped out Cape Cod and learned things I never would have figured out otherwise." -- HENRY
• I have learned that Cape Cod's towns were split by natural boundaries. I found out that the Pilgrims were pretty smart." -- JOHN
• In this seminar, I have learned that I really love history. Also, I have learned that the Pilgrims put a giant rock in Cape Cod Bay and its surrounding areas make a neraly perfect compass rose. -- NATHAN
• The Pilgrims, like some other ancient people, are way smarter than the outward technology they have makes them appear. They have a seemingly unbelievable underground system based on something very primitive yet so advanced that almost nobody knows about it. -- JOEY
• I have learned that the Pilgrims were smarter than I thought. Additionally, I learned that they were smart enough to think about the concept of mapping the new land. -- EVAN
• I have learned of the intelligence of the Pilgrims, the mass of a Volkswagen Jetta and that Henry's house rocks! -- ERIC
• I have learned that a Volkswagen Jetta sized rock weighs about 20 tons. I have discovered how to find mass. I have done some difficult, advanced math. I have learned that it's hard to climb a rock wearing Nike Airs (due to the plastic part in the middle). I have learned the theory that these Pilgrims divided Cape Cod by the Cornerstone using equal angles. I learned Henry's house is totally awesome, as are his labradoodles. -- MITCH
• Thus far, I have found participating in the Cornerstone seminar to be a wonderful experience. I have always had a passion for history and a thirst for knowledge and this seminar is full of both. From an academic standpoint, I have learned a lot about the archaeological process. I was never so naiive to think that you could simply dig and search somewhere and come up with historical artifacts, but I never knew about the careful precision and research that historical excavations require. At this point, diving for the cornerstone has not yet begun and the seminar is still mapping to try to research and map and pinpoint the location and the existence of the Cornerstone! -- RACHEL