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Debate continues on ‘turtle rock’ found

Muskegum College professor contradicts previous expert opinion on rock’s formation.

Submitted Dirk Morgan of Oregonia brought his "turtle head" rock to the Muskingum College geology lab n New Concord to be studied by Professor Eric Law. Pictured (left to right): Dirk Morgan, Professor Eric Law, and Alan Day, an amateur archeologist who introduced Morgan and Law.

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Oregonia rock may be from ancient civilizations

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By Marie Rossiter, Staff Writer Updated 9:14 PM Monday, June 8, 2009

The debate continues about the origins of a 200-pound rock found in an Oregonia man’s back yard.

Dirk Morgan, owner of Morgan’s Canoe Livery, found the rock in his back yard and said he clearly saw a pair of eyes and a mouth carved into the sandstone. He said he believed it was a turtle head, possibly carved by the Mound Builders who lived in the region more than 1,000 years ago.

But Morgan has had a difficult time getting experts to agree with him, until now.

Geology professor Eric Law of Muskingum College spent two hours examining the rock May 27 and concluded there may be something to Morgan’s claim.

“I found a few features that were unnatural,’” said Law. “The most significant one is something I interpreted as tool marks.”

Law said the location of the marks, at the back of the mouth area, were in a well-protected location and not easily destroyed by years of environmental exposure.

But Law can’t say when the tool marks were made or by whom. That’s for an archeologist to figure out, he said.

Law specializes in petrology, the branch of science that deals with the composition of rocks.

If Law can find someone to assist with the archeological study of the rock, then it’s possible he could help present a paper on the rock in October at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America in Portland, Oregon.

“I think the story of this rock may be interesting enough for a presentation,” Law said. “Someone has to work the archeological part of out it.”

Law’s findings contradict a previous opinion given by Dr. Bob Genheimer of the Cincinnati Museum Center.

“It appears to be an eroded and water formed sandstone glacial erratic,” Genheimer said. “There is no doubt that it appears to be a turtle head, but I believe it’s an artifact of nature, not culture.”

Morgan said Genheimer’s observation wasn’t detailed enough to provide a good assessment.

“There is no way after three minutes that there can be justifiable, conclusive evidence,” Morgan said. “I wasn’t giving up after the first opinion. I feel a responsibility to this now.”

Morgan said he was happy to hear Law’s opinion and hopes this will draw more interest from the experts.

“I think it’s a shame that initially there hasn’t been a more in-depth study,” Morgan said. “This is more than just a turtle head. It think it’s very significant and could be something that was worshipped and revered by ancient people..”

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Looks more like a pair of vice grips. Perhaps the area was more technologically advanced than it now appears to be.

darwufche
9:36 AM, 6/15/2009

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Great effort on getting this artifact the examination it deserved! Shame on those in the established archeological community who are too close minded to even take a look at it before they make a judgement. Keep up the good work!!Great find............

rockhound
10:16 PM, 6/11/2009

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My wife told me the tool marks came from her and her sisters when they were little girls. They used to play on this rock.

Tom Taylor
8:13 AM, 6/9/2009

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Looks more like PacMan to me!

Gamer
10:26 PM, 6/8/2009

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