An intriguing earthen ovate earthen burial mound stretching over two hundred feet long and over forty feet tall stabilized by a mantle of floral species just off the central quadrangle deserted and alone has a peculiar topographic appearance and is obviously of human construction. Bear Spirit Mountain archaeological site shows great progress as research continues by Archaeologist Matt Howard and his team.
JOHN THORTON HILLERARY
Retired Geologist, USGS
Book Author
Matthew "Maasaw" Howard's two books, "Avonvdo Yona (Bear Spirit Mountain) An Ancestral Awakening" and most recently, "As I Rest, Let My Face Touch Heaven," are not traditional academic works...and this is what makes for their vitality and strength. As a Roman archaeologist and historian, I share a passion for understanding the past by unearthing and identifying long-buried or forgotten structures, monuments, artifacts, and man-made images. Matt's books clearly demonstrate his respect for the rigor and discipline of archaeology with his methodical researching, cataloging, documenting, and preserving the stone monuments, artifacts, burials, and rock art imagery. Matt Howard is uniquely qualified and positioned to serve as the chosen Protector of this most sacred and ancient Native American burial and ceremonial site. I find Matt's journey, as recorded in these books, is truly mesmerizing.
DR. FRANCES S. BERNSTEIN, PH.D., ANCIENT HISTORY
Archaeologist, Assistant Professor, Retired
Author- "Classical Living: Reconnecting with the Rituals of Ancient Rome"
The archaeological site known as "Bear Spirit Mountain" is one of the most significant discoveries made in the field of American Indian history found to date. This site dates to the late Pleistocene period and is a tremendous source of archaeological study for ancient American Indian customs and traditions. The sheer size of the site that measures in miles instead of acres has makes it stand out as one of the largest sites ever discovered in the Americas.
JACK HRANICKY, RPA
Archaeologist, Professor
Book Author-Over fifty books published regarding the Pleistocene Period American Indian History
For many years, the study of the indigenous stone monuments of the eastern U.S. has suffered from neglect on the part of professional archaeologists. It has fallen to dedicated and inspired amateur researchers like Matt Howard to document these enigmatic structures. With little formal training or equipment, Matt has provided a very significant contribution to the study of these monuments in his area, and he has drawn attention to their importance to the descendants of their creators, and to all of us as a matter of cultural heritage.
I commend his efforts, and I encourage him to continue to document this important cluster of sites.
DR. CURTISS HOFFMAN, PH.D., PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Bridgewater State University
Noted Archaeologist and Anthropologist
Author of "Stone Prayers: Native American Constructions of the Eastern Seaboard"
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"As I Rest, Let My Face Touch Heaven, receives its inspiration from the American Indian Chief that one day looked down on several mountains and saw that they were formed by the Creator for his tribe to use as a ceremonial and burial site. It details the many thousands of years of hard work that went into the building and using one of the largest and oldest ceremonial/burial sites in all of the western hemisphere."
