Hi 405:

The book in question was originally called Lost America as published in 1951. I came across a later republication called The Rediscovery of Lost America, The Story of the Pre-Columbian Iron Age in America, by Arlington Mallery and Mary Roberts Harrison, 1979. Mary Harrison was a life long associate of Mr Mallery and republished his original work with a couple of additional chapters of her own(as Mr Mallery had long since passed on). Btw, it has some great maps in it. It also contains some very interesting discussion and diary entries regarding the climate of Greenland, Iceland and the maritimes a thousand years ago(meaning there is no political agenda).

On the topic of epigraphy(.org?) I would recommend the works of Barry Fell, Harvard professor from England, also now passed on. Among other claims, he researched areas in Vermont, NH that show distinct signs(pun intended) of preChristian Druid settlements. He had an associate in (google Heavenly, Gloria somebody I think)Oklahoma I believe, who also through the means of epigraphy, shows that Phoenicians visited the US. In addition to which Dr Fell's works(America BC etc) contain photos from all over the US, two instances that include the Hebrew decalogue in disparate areas of the US; canyon and mountain walls that contain pricing a la an open air trading market(Wyoming), and open air school rooms(in the elevations of Nevada if I recall). The long and short of it is that he, as others, makes a strong case that the global market place is nothing new. That various cultures from elsewhere around the globe had settlements throughout the history of preColumbian America. Which as we know, would refute the notion of idyllic natives previously untouched by anybody. Which is a ridiculous notion anyhow, men being men.

I have an other work that I skimmed when I discovered it and have since misplaced on one shelf or another(I still owe Jody a copy of David's autobiography which has suffered the same fate, lol!). The gist of it was two fold: that 3000 years ago and about 1500 years ago the Chinese made regular journeys to south and or north America, traded here and may have had some settlements or at least intermarriage. In part, it was a reprint of Chinese documents. I'll let you know when I rediscover it.

Anyhow, being in a rush, while the GrandToddler naps, I haven't covered this all too well but do find it a most fascinating area, that we can surely revisit again if you wish, or need additional clarification or what have you.

Dr Fell notes at one point, cases of Hebrew trained Scottish missionaries replacing some of their fellows who were not so trained(reaching out to pacific northwest tribes), who they were surprised/delighted to discover spoke Hebrew.

I am convinced the presently accepted wisdom regarding the settlement and past of this continent is greatly mistaken.

Hope that's of some value Herring,

peaceably

ps Dr Fell goes to some length discussing the Scottish Prince Madoc, speculating his heirs may be the Mandan tribe. The idea being, and he utilizes historical documents, that Prince Madoc sailed to Mobile Bay, found it pleasant, returned to Scotland returning to America with another load of settlers and that little by little during the following centuries the native populations drove them further and further north until Lewis and Clarks expedition crossed their path somewhere(I forget) along the northern Mississippi River.

And thanks for the new lead re: Bat Creek

http://www.telliquah.com/Batcreek.htm

http://www.econ.ohio-state.edu/jhm/arch/batcrk.html

There's just an amazing amount of evidence available. Thanks!-)