NEW ENGLAND ANTIQUITIES RESEARCH ASSOCIATION (NEARA)
Over the past two hundred years or more, as they roamed America’s northeastern woods, sharp-eyed observers have been finding enigmatic stone structures. These include elegantly constructed chambers, crude stone piles, unusual stone walls and circles, propped boulders, petroglyphs and earthen or stone mounds. Attempts at explanation have been almost as numerous as the finders. Some attribute the features to colonial field clearing, farm food storage (root cellars), animal pens or hunting shelters. Others see similarities to European or Mediterranean structures from pre-Columbian times. Some features seem to be American Indian, used perhaps for ceremonial, astronomical or calendar purposes.
NEARA was founded in 1964 to promote disciplined research exploring the origins and functions of these structures and sites, to document them and to encourage their protection and preservation. Volunteers participate in the search for new sites and enjoy the challenge of better understanding them through the traditional lenses of history, archaeology, anthropology and geology, as well as less established fields such as archaeoastronomy, deed research, and epigraphy.
Evidence has been accumulating but in many cases the mysteries remain unsolved.
NEARA is dedicated to ongoing, disciplined research using the broad spectrum of the talents and abilities of its members and other researchers. We invite you to share in this unfolding adventure of discovery by joining today.
Fall 2013 Conference
Join NEARA for the 2013 Fall Meeting, Oct. 25th- 27th in Springfield , MA at the La Quinta Inn & Conference Center.
Our rate is $99.00 + tax Directions click here Check back for updates on program, speakers and field trips!
Click above for flyer Boxborough, MA winter sunrise
CONTACT NEARA
Officers:
Directors-At-Large:
Rob Carter Nancy Berke Steve Voluckas Margaret Venator Rob Buchanan Dan Ryan Walter vanRoggen Cathy Taylor
Committee Chairs:
Research Projects Dan Leary This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Publications Suzanne Carlson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Newsletter Editor Susie Thompson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Membership Cindy Hook This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Library Anne Wirkkala This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Meeting Registrar Don Winkley This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Site reports can be submitted to the NEARA Librarian, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The site report form can be downloaded here: Site Report Form