Deep within a 200-acre wooded area, located west of the unincorporated community of Tisch Mills, Wisconsin, lies a mystery shrouded in both natural beauty and historical intrigue. The site, confirmed as a Native American burial ground, has captured the attention of historians, archaeologists, and tribal representatives, all drawn by the potential for uncovering secrets stretching back millennia. Adding another layer to this enigmatic location is the tantalizing possibility, proposed by some researchers, that a Viking ship may also be buried within its boundaries. The Native Burial Grounds Near Tisch Mills May Include Viking Ship discovery has fueled speculation and further investigation into this unique and potentially historically significant site.
Unveiling More Questions Than Answers
For Bruce Vandervest, a historian from Luxemburg, Wisconsin, and the team of investigators he has assembled, the Native Burial Grounds Near Tisch Mills May Include Viking Ship site presents a compelling puzzle. "It’s more questions than answers," Vandervest admits, reflecting the complexities and uncertainties that surround the area’s true history.
Evidence suggests that the grounds served as a burial site as recently as the 1930s. However, its origins could extend far deeper into the past, perhaps reaching back 1,000 to 3,000 years, or even potentially 10,000 years, according to various dating estimates proposed by researchers. This vast timeframe highlights the enduring significance of the site for successive generations of people.
Currently, the land is divided among five different landowners. A 40-acre parcel owned by Tommy Prucha has become a focal point of Vandervest’s research, ever since his first visit to the site over two decades ago. This particular section of the woods displays an array of intriguing features, including meticulously placed boulders and carefully constructed mounds of earth, hinting at deliberate human activity.
One of the most striking features is a limestone boulder wall, measuring approximately 100 feet in length, 4 feet in width, and 4 feet in height. Its imposing presence in the heart of the woods raises questions about its purpose and origin. Vandervest believes that the wall’s construction is unlikely to be the work of early farmers, suggesting a more complex and perhaps ceremonial function.
Intrigued by the stone structures and mounds, Vandervest sought insights from other experts in the field. He contacted Betty Sodders, an author from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, who had documented similar features in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Sodders connected him with Wayne May, editor of Ancient American magazine, based in Colfax, Wisconsin. May, in turn, visited the site accompanied by Merlin Redcloud, a Ho-Chunk shaman and historian. Their collective expertise, along with contributions from archaeologists, surveyor Jim Scherz of the Ancient Earth Society, Dale Reimer of Two Rivers, and historians representing multiple tribal nations, has contributed to a growing understanding of the site’s potential importance.
Wayne May recognized the significance of the site immediately, while Merlin Redcloud identified it as a burial ground. Of particular interest to Redcloud was the presence of pipestone within the wall’s construction. Pipestone, a soft red rock, is traditionally found in Minnesota and holds cultural significance for many Native American tribes. Its presence at the Tisch Mills site suggests connections to distant regions and potentially intricate trade networks.
The Viking Ship Hypothesis
Beyond its confirmed Native American heritage, the Native Burial Grounds Near Tisch Mills May Include Viking Ship site holds another captivating possibility: the potential existence of a Viking ship buried beneath the earth. About 100 feet from the limestone wall, a collection of limestone boulders arranged in a distinct shape and size – approximately 25 feet wide and 100 feet long – has led some to speculate that they may mark the location of an ancient Viking vessel.
Wayne May, in particular, believes that a Viking ship could be buried beneath the rocks. While a similar Viking ship burial was discovered in England, that vessel was interred in dirt, not stone, adding a unique dimension to the Tisch Mills hypothesis. The discovery of a Viking ship so far inland would rewrite history.
The potential presence of a Viking ship near Tisch Mills is supported by several factors. The site is located relatively close to a branch of the East Twin River, which was once navigable. This proximity to a waterway could have provided access for seafaring vessels in the past. Furthermore, local legends suggest that Vikings may have regularly visited North America as early as 800 to 1,000 years ago, potentially reaching as far inland as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. These legends, combined with the archaeological evidence, lend credence to the Viking ship theory.
According to Bruce Vandervest, Ho-Chunk legends speak of encounters between Native Americans and tall, red-haired men, a description that could potentially align with Viking explorers. Some historians speculate that these interactions may have been related to the copper trade, with Vikings potentially seeking to acquire vast quantities of copper from the region. It is theorized that a village may have existed in the area, where copper was processed into manageable ingots for transport back to Europe.
Vandervest hopes that the discovery of wood beneath the stone structure would allow for carbon dating, which could determine the age of the material and potentially confirm the presence of a Viking ship. If the ship were confirmed, it could lead to a large-scale excavation, perhaps even involving the Smithsonian Institution. A preliminary 3-foot-wide trench dug at the site has revealed a smoky smell and even more large rocks beneath the "ship," further fueling speculation about its true nature.
"We’re kind of at a standstill," Vandervest admits, highlighting the challenges of further investigation without additional resources and support. His research to date has culminated in an article titled "Alive With Spirits," published in Ancient American magazine, which details the site’s many mysteries and potential significance.
Ground-Penetrating Radar Confirms Burial Ground
Further investigation has confirmed the site’s significance as a Native American burial ground. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was used a year prior to confirm the presence of grave sites. The radar imagery revealed anomalies consistent with buried human remains, solidifying the site’s sacred status.
Near the graves, researchers have identified stones believed to hold mystical significance, including a sacred rock said to possess healing powers, a ceremonial pit, and an eternal fireplace used to maintain a constant flame. A medicine wheel, traditionally used in sacred Native American rites, has also been discovered at the site.
It is believed that members of the Potawatomi, Winnebago (Ho-Chunk), and Menominee tribes lived near the site and used it as a burial ground for their dead. This history includes Potawatomi Chief War Thunder, a notable figure who fought in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. His potential presence at the burial ground adds another layer of historical significance to the site.
Effigy Mounds Depict Prehistoric Creatures
The site also features several effigy mounds, earthen structures shaped to resemble animals and other figures. These mounds include life-size depictions of buffalo, snakes, martens, and bears, providing a glimpse into the local fauna and the spiritual beliefs of the people who created them.
Intriguingly, the site also contains effigy mounds of prehistoric animals, such as mastodons, short-faced bears, and even a whale. The presence of these prehistoric animal effigies suggests that the people who built the mounds had knowledge of these creatures, either through direct observation or through oral traditions passed down through generations.
Vandervest believes that caves may be present in the limestone bedrock beneath the site, adding another layer of potential complexity to the area’s geology and archaeology. Native Americans have expressed particular interest in a stone igloo and marker trees located within the site, which may hold specific cultural or spiritual significance.
The Guardian of the Woods
Adding a touch of the uncanny to the site’s mysteries is the apparent presence of a "guardian" who seems to monitor the area regularly. Vandervest recounts instances where he has left artifacts in a conspicuous place, only to find them missing upon his return. This suggests that someone is actively overseeing the site, perhaps out of respect for its sacred nature or to protect it from unauthorized disturbance.
Vandervest hopes to connect with this guardian and engage in a dialogue about the site’s history and preservation. He emphasizes that he and his team have been careful to minimize disturbance to the area, demonstrating respect for the dead and the sacredness of the grounds. He emphasizes that while he is determined to uncover the secrets of the Native Burial Grounds Near Tisch Mills May Include Viking Ship, he is committed to doing so in a responsible and respectful manner.
"The spirits are watching," Vandervest concludes, acknowledging the deep spiritual significance of the site and the importance of approaching its mysteries with reverence and humility. The site remains a place of unanswered questions and ongoing exploration, where the past continues to whisper its secrets to those who are willing to listen.