Carved Rockford tablet discovered in 1874 Illinois mound near Rock River. Found in 1874 near Rockford, Illinois Located 6 miles from Rockford on high ground above the Rock River Mound was about 30 feet across and 8 feet high
In 1874, a small white carved tablet bearing 14 mysterious symbols was unearthed near Rockford, Illinois, about 6 miles from the Rock River. Found beneath a thin seam of decayed pottery at roughly 6 feet deep in a 30-foot mound, the hand-sized artifact featured a sun-like face, coiled serpent, lizard, and dagger marks. Researchers initially mistook the material for gypsum before reclassifying it as "Niagara spar." Stone tools and a pipe fragment lay beneath it. Its authenticity and meaning remain debated today.
Key Facts
- Found in 1874 near Rockford, Illinois
- Located 6 miles from Rockford on high ground above the Rock River
- Mound was about 30 feet across and 8 feet high
- Discovered approximately 6 feet deep under a fragile red seam of decayed ancient pottery
- Small white carved tablet with symbols polished smooth, small enough to close a hand around
- 14 distinct figures counted on the tablet
- Symbols included a face ringed by radiating lines, coiled serpent, triangle, lizard, dagger mark, fish head, and circle with central dot
- First report identified material as gypsum, later reclassified as 'Niagara spar'
- Stone tools, spear points, hammer, chisel, and pipe bowl fragment found beneath the tablet
- Excavation reported by the Chicago Tribune
Source: The Roundtable Chronicles - Ep. 26 by Institute for Natural Philosophy