I'm Scott Wolter of America Unearthed. I'm a forensic geologist. Learn more about Forensic Geology here. My mission is to travel North America looking for unusual artifacts and mysterious sites.
Perhaps the History.com website says it best,
Scott Wolter of America Unearthed travels to Rock Wall, Texas
I have to say the that I had never heard of the Rock Wall mystery prior to being informed about our making the episode. I wasn't all that excited at first, but filming this show turned out to be one of the most interesting geological phenomenon investigations I have ever done. When the excavation was first exposed I knew it was natural and not manmade. However, I was genuinely puzzled how it formed until I was able to spend some time looking at it. The geological setting that resulted in fluid sand at depth rising up through fractures in the overlying hardened clay was unique to say the least. The sand eventually was hardened by calcite into a dense and hard rock. What was truly amazing is how the fractures that formed within sandstone "wall" made it look just like stone blocks in a masonry wall. What looked like mortar between the stone blocks was actually sandy-clay from the surrounding rock that had squeezed between blocks. The result of Mother Nature's clever handiwork created a meandering wall that truly looks like the colossal work of an ancient lost civilization.I want to thank Dr. John Geissman at the University of Texas in Dallas, for being such a good sport and providing the magnetization testing of the core samples we obtained in the "Big hole." He did a great job on camera and an even better job generating the magnetic "DNA of the rock" data in his lab. Thanks to his help we were able to get the critical data that helped us reach the proper conclusion.
As I said on the show, the City of Rockwall has much to be proud of. I like to tease my friends from Texas, but truth is the people down there could not have been more friendly and fun. Take it from me, they really do things "big" in Texas and that includes the Rock Wall!
Scott Wolter and Dr. John Geissman at the Rock Wall dig site after the final wrap for the episode.
Cameramen Colin Thrienen and Brandon Bouley shoot from the bucket of the backhoe over the Rock Wall dig site.
The Committee Films crew pose on a fire truck at the Fate City Fire Station in Texas.
RC Christian ?
ReplyDeleteConsider Mary Todd Lincoln's brother as a clue reference? (bill_mitchell_aef@Hotmail.com)
The Civil War’s divisiveness extended all the way to the White House. First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln was a native of the border state of Kentucky, and many of her relatives—including her brother George R.C. Todd and several half-brothers—supported or fought for the South. The First Lady’s Confederate connections proved controversial for many in the North, and some even accused of her of being a rebel spy.
This is yet another example of how complicated and interesting history really is. There are dozens of side stories to every theory and often they are more surprising and important than the story everybody knows.
DeleteNot everybody is foolish enough to believe you. You lied twice Scott. Why? Are things really better in life with untold truths? They're not. Must have been over your paygrade too. You can plainly see that those blocks were deliberatly placed. Rockwall, TX. Besides that I like the show and a lot of the episodes I've seen.
ReplyDeleteHi Tim,
DeleteNot sure what you think I "lied" about, but you are obviously very passionate about your beliefs.
I can assure you the rock wall that I looked at is 100% natural.
I am Doug. it would seem as if it were so. there is no reason behind building a wall 5 miles wide and 3 miles long UNLESS it were built as a foundation for a village which wouldn't make any sense at all for the time. magnetics point to being formed in place instead of different rocks having different magnetic anomalies pointed in different directions and stacked by humans. there is a rock wall in Africa that is the same way if memory serves. magnetics point to it being formed in place as well. I enjoy your show although some things really don't make much sense. looking at a rock that had words carved into pointing to the Vikings getting into Minnesota?? I wouldn't doubt it but nothing definite. keep plugging on that one and solve it please!! still would also like to know more about the crosses found in n.m.?? can't remember what group that pointed to but still unsolved. have a great day.
DeleteScott, I'd like to refer you to a show called "Watchers 4". At the 40 minute mark, there is a segment about Rockwall that you might find interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get a moment I'll chek it out.
ReplyDeleteHi Scott,
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoy your show and this episode was my first exposure to the rock wall phenomena.
My question is, how would the fluid sand have been forced up and developed into hard rock with such a relatively straight vertical surface as evidenced by the photos? Wouldn't that sort of shearing action need to have a very definite reverse edge, or shearing surface, to move against? And if so, how deep would it be?
It seemed like the soil being moved by the excavators was sandy topsoil.
Thanks
Brain,
DeleteSorry for the delay in responding; I've been traveling for Season 3. Let me try to answer your questions. The fluid sand was forced upward through fractures by the weight and downward pressure of the overlying clay layers. The fractures in the hardened clay were vertical in orientation and produced by tensional forces from the upward movement of the sandy fluid.
This action would be called “Normal faulting” which is produced by tension or lengthening when rock is pulled apart. Think of a basketball with an inch-thick layer of clay covering it. If that clay layer was pushed outward it would have to crack up to allow for the virtual increase in size around the perimeter of the ball.
Local geologists would know how deep the sandy formation beneath the clay is, but I suspect it's anywhere from 100-200 feet? Perhaps more?
Hi Scott:
ReplyDeleteIn the mid 70's I lived in connecticut. Digging for a garden in my yard I found a statue. I brought it to the American Indian Institue in Washington Ct. They said it was well over 6000 years old. It is of a woman carrying a baby. I'd love to send you pictures of it. It is still in my possession.It is a remarkble piece that, to me does not look native american. If you could give me an e-mail addy, i'll gladly send you pictures of it from all sides. thanks Gregg Azzarito
Sorry Scott, my e-mail is greggazzarito@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHy watched your show on Custer's treasure. Have you looked in to the Big muddy in Saskatchewan ? Sitting Bull and other natives did hide out in Canada when chased by the US Calvary and spent time in that area.There are also stories about treasure hidden there from Jessie James and other out laws in caves in the Big Muddy way before the middle of North America was settled . The native would now about the area because they did not now borders and that was also part of there area. I do not now a lot about the area but with some looking around you could find some one how would. Also All Capon in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan latter in time .
ReplyDeleteI have not looked into what happened to Sitting Bull after the Little Bighorn, but I've heard several rumors of what happened to the key players and to the artifacts taken off the soldiers. I think it would be a great follow-up episode and I hope to get a chance to do it.
ReplyDeleteStay tuned!
My only problem with the Rockwall episode is that all 5 cores were taken from the same rock. That is what I saw on the episode. Of course the Magnetic Memory is going to be the same for all the cores since they came from the same rock. Until cores are taken from separate rocks on the wall, my mind is still open to the possibility that it is man made.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteI understand why you got that impression, but the reality is core samples were taken from multiple blocks at different locations. We did not take all the samples from the same block.
Are you aware that in 1920 man-made stone terraces 3-5 feet high, similar to terraces of New Mexico cliff dwellings, were discovered at Haleakala (Maui) in 1920? What's their connection?
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI think the local Natives more than likely made them on Maui. Why is the question; maybe it has to do with growing food?
Dr. Wolter I have access to a spear tip that I found in St. Mary's County Maryland. I think it could very well be pre-clovis. Care to take a look. You can reach me at dienw69@yahoo.com
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHi Dr Wolter,
It was great hearing you on Dave Shraider's show recently and I hope you are back on air with a show like this. I really enjoy it.
On, for my question regarding the wall. Had you heard of the reports that in the 1950's I think it was that parts of the wall were excavated which had inscriptions on them? What was that all about? I provided a link with a supposed photo of it. Your thoughts?
https://www.forbiddenhistory.info/?q=node/45
Thank you and blessings
hello Scott I have found the real lost city of Atlantis! and yes I under stand that this clam is like the boy who cried wolf, but it is true. I know for a fact it is the lost city Atlantis 300% sure as a fact!!!!
ReplyDeleteVictor,
DeleteHow do you know that?
Scott, I recently watched a new show on Travel channel called Code of the Wild. In episode 2, the brothers go to Ecuador in search of giants...the part that most interested me was that they found a wall, I believe the area was Llangantes,that appeared to be man made. The brothers did acknowledge that it could have been caused by erosion, they continued to investigate that wall as well another one they found. However,
ReplyDeleteIf you have taught me anything it is to be very observant, and I noticed as they rappelled down this wall, the way the rain ran down the rocks. That leads me to believe that it is just a natural occurrence especially since,
it is in the rainforest = lots of rain, and the walls are in an area with frequent rock slides.
As soon as I saw the wall I remembered this episode about the Texas wall and thought it resembled that wall as well.
Hi Sally,
DeleteI haven't seen the episode and probably won't, but your logic is sound. There are many geological instances where dikes intruding into another body of rock. Like Rock Wall, the intruding rock is stronger and resists weathering more than the host rock. This results in the stronger rock protruding out and over time weathering into a pile of rocks that looks like an old wall. If the hosts aren't geologists, they aren't going to understand this and be confused.
Don't know if they have any geological knowledge or not, but I'll be you could have helped them out!
I am terrified of heights, but I would have gladly offered my opinions from the bottom of the walls.
DeleteLove the show maybe too much, it is my go to show to watch almost daily.
You have made me more aware of every rock I see and very critical of other shows.
Thank you for all you do :)
Thanks Sally; glad you're enjoying the show. Great to hear positive feedback; it is much appreciated.
DeleteI have liked about every Episode of your America unearthed One thing that was over looked was the show curse of oak Island They came across a piece of pottery that had a hooked x on it the show........has a running Theory that the Knights Templar came to Oak Island to hide some of their accumulated wealth !
ReplyDeleteI saw the fake Hooked X carved stone they "found" on the show. Not a fan...
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