[meteorite-list] Dig Turns Up Little At Mysterious Newport Tower *except for a meteorite)

[Darren Garrison]

http://www.turnto10.com/news/10392157/detail.html

NEWPORT, R.I. -- An archaeological dig at a mysterious Newport Tower turns up --
not much.

Archeologists spent a month digging at a structure called the Old Stone Mill.
The tower's origins are uncertain -- leading amateur historians to speculate it
was built by Nordic Vikings, Irish monks or even stranded Chinese sailors.

Archaeologists said the excavation yielded buttons, pottery and glass fragments
-- but none dated later than the late 1600s.

However, the team believes it found part of a small meteorite that fell more
than 2,000 years ago.

Many in Newport believe the tower has more local origins. They said it was built
under the direction of colonial Governor Benedict Arnold, the great-grandfather
of the Revolutionary War traitor.

Joyce Clements, an archaeologist involved in the dig, said colonial Rhode Island
had craftsmen skilled enough to build it.