MONTAGUE — Connecticut River explorer Annette Spaulding only had five minutes worth of air left in her tank on a SCUBA diving trip in August when she found a petroglyph under the water in the river in southern Vermont.
She brushed away inches of sand and silt from of a rock ledge, and to her surprise, discovered what appeared to be a Native American rock carving.
This discovery is one of two known Native American carved rock sites, which have likely been submerged underwater in the river since the creation of the Vernon Dam over 100 years ago, she said.
“I was so shocked, I couldn’t believe I found it,” said Spaulding. “I just had tears in my eyes. I just can’t tell you how spiritual this thing is to me.” The rock carving looked like a head with a face and what appeared to be two feathers sticking up from the head.
The roughly 10-inch wide carving is similar to the carvings at a petroglyph site along the river in Bellows Falls, Vt. The tribe that the carvings originated with is unknown.
This new discovery, she said, comes after hundreds of hours over several years searching. Her explorations took her on 68 dives and, she said, this is only the beginning.
She plans to continue searching the Connecticut River by way of her 25-foot pontoon boat, looking for more relics from the past.
“I love driving and I love being able to dive in a nice cleaned-out Connecticut River,” she said. “I love discovery and adventure and exploration.”
Saturday, the public will have the chance to learn more about her journey and her recent petroglyph discovery at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls at 1 p.m.
Spaulding will speak with members of the Nolumbeka Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the history of Native Americans of New England through educational programs. The speakers will discuss the discovery and Native American history in this region.
The Connecticut River Watershed Council, an organization that works to protect the watershed and works to educate the public, will host this free event.
You can reach Lisa Spear at lspear@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 280