The 5th Dimension -Age of Aquarius -The Light : Unearthing the Colossal Shadows: Biblical Giants and the Mysteries of Watertown, NY

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Unearthing the Colossal Shadows: Biblical Giants and the Mysteries of Watertown, NY

Watertown, New York, a city nestled along the Black River, is known for its rich history, architectural beauty, and proximity to the stunning Thousand Islands. But beneath the surface of its well-documented past, some intriguing and often overlooked narratives whisper of a time when colossal beings roamed the earth. While mainstream history books rarely touch upon it, a fascinating and speculative connection exists between ancient biblical accounts of giants and archaeological findings, oral traditions, and local folklore surrounding Watertown. The Bible, in various passages, speaks of "giants" or "Nephilim" – formidable beings of immense stature and strength. Genesis 6:4 famously states, "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown." Other books, like Numbers and Deuteronomy, also mention races of giants like the Anakim and Rephaim, whose formidable size struck fear into the hearts of ancient Israelites. While these accounts are typically associated with the Middle East, a surprising number of researchers and enthusiasts have begun to connect these ancient narratives to North American prehistory, and specifically, to locations like Watertown. The "Mound Builders" and Unconventional Discoveries Before European settlement, the landscape of North America was dotted with thousands of earthen mounds, constructed by various indigenous cultures over millennia. These "Mound Builders" left behind an impressive legacy of sophisticated societies, intricate trade networks, and often, tantalizing archaeological anomalies. For centuries, excavators, both amateur and professional, have reported the discovery of unusually large human skeletal remains within these mounds.

And Jefferson County New York having some of the highest concentrations of them in all of North American Mounds.

Rodman Mounds

Rutland Mounds

Perch Lake Mounds

Dry Hill Mounds

Calcium Mounds

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as Watertown and the surrounding Jefferson County grew, many such mounds were leveled for agriculture and development. Reports from local newspapers and historical societies of the time occasionally detailed the exhumation of remains that seemed to defy conventional understanding of human size. These accounts, often sensationalized, spoke of skeletons measuring seven, eight, and even nine feet tall, accompanied by unusually large artifacts. While many of these claims lack rigorous scientific documentation by modern standards, they form a compelling part of the region's historical curiosity. One of the most frequently cited examples, though difficult to verify with concrete evidence today, involves purported discoveries along the Black River and near prominent waterways that would have served as ancient trade routes. Local historians and hobbyists sometimes refer to "giant bones" found during early canal constructions or agricultural clearing, hinting at a forgotten past where such beings might have been more common. Native American Oral Traditions: Echoes of Giants Adding another layer to this intriguing puzzle are the oral traditions of various Native American tribes, many of whom historically inhabited or passed through the Watertown area. Many indigenous cultures across North America have their own stories of giant people who predated them or lived alongside them. The Iroquois, whose ancestral lands encompass parts of upstate New York, have legends of powerful, large beings. While these narratives don't directly reference "biblical" giants, the common thread of immense, ancient humanoids is striking. These stories often describe giants as either benevolent, powerful protectors or formidable, sometimes cannibalistic, adversaries.

These legends, passed down through generations, speak to a deep-seated memory within these cultures of encounters with or knowledge of beings far larger than ordinary humans. Could these be the same "giants" that some believe are referenced in biblical texts, their presence spanning continents and cultures? Reconciling Faith, Science, and Folklore The idea of biblical giants in Watertown presents a fascinating challenge to conventional historical and archaeological understanding. Skeptics rightly point to the lack of verifiable, peer-reviewed scientific evidence for giant human skeletons of the magnitude described in folklore. Many early reports of "giants" were likely exaggerated, misidentified animal bones, or even hoaxes. Furthermore, the concept of "giants" can sometimes be explained by individuals with gigantism, a known medical condition, though the consistent reports of entire populations of such beings remain unexplained by this alone. However, proponents of the giant theory argue that much of the evidence may have been suppressed, lost, or simply misinterpreted by an academic establishment reluctant to challenge prevailing paradigms. They suggest that the sheer volume of historical reports, coupled with indigenous oral traditions, warrants further investigation. The possibility that some of these ancient "Mound Builders" or precursor populations were indeed of unusual stature, perhaps even connecting to a broader global phenomenon, remains an intriguing proposition. For those in Watertown and beyond who are open to exploring the less conventional corners of history, the concept of biblical giants adds a layer of ancient mystique to the region. It invites us to look at the familiar landscape with new eyes, pondering what colossal secrets might still lie buried beneath the fields and rivers, waiting to be rediscovered.

Mounds of Jefferson County 2nd Highest in County.

The "mounds" on Dry Hill in Jefferson County, New York (located just southeast of Watertown), are part of a fascinating series of pre-contact indigenous earthworks. While often overshadowed by the larger "annular mounds" at nearby Perch Lake, the Dry Hill site is historically significant as a former fortified village. The Dry Hill Earthworks Unlike the simple burial mounds found in other parts of the country, the structures on Dry Hill were primarily defensive embankments and habitation remains. The Enclosure: Early archaeological surveys (notably by E.G. Squier in the mid-19th century) described a large, somewhat circular embankment following the brow of the hill. At the time of discovery, some sections of the wall stood nearly 3 feet high. Village Life: The area inside the embankment was found to be covered in "carbonaceous matter"—essentially ancient trash heaps. These contained burned stones, pottery fragments, and animal bones, indicating it was once a populous aboriginal town. The "Mounds" Within: What early settlers called "mounds" on this site were often actually "lodge sites" or "camp bottoms." These were circular depressions (20 to 30 feet in diameter) surrounded by a ring of debris and charcoal, representing the remains of longhouses or circular dwellings where fires were kept.

Key Characteristics Feature Description Origin Attributed to the St. Lawrence Iroquoians (Late Precontact period, roughly A.D. 1300–1500). Composition Earth, fire-shattered rock, charcoal, and organic refuse. Function Defensive fortifications and foundations for residential structures. Current Status Most of these features have been heavily leveled by decades of agriculture and development (including the local ski area).

Comparison to Perch Lake Mounds Perch Lake

Perch Lake Mound

It is easy to confuse Dry Hill with the Perch Lake Mounds (about 10 miles away). The Perch Lake mounds are unique "annular" or doughnut-shaped rings that are much more numerous (over 70-200 recorded historically). Unlike the Dry Hill village site, the Perch Lake rings contain almost no artifacts or food remains, leading some archaeologists to believe they were used for specific rituals or specialized processing rather than daily living. Modern-Day Access Today, Dry Hill is best known as a ski and tubing area. Most of the ancient earthworks are on private property or have been obscured by the ski slopes and farming. Because these sites are sensitive archaeological resources, they are generally not marked for public hiking to prevent looting or further degradation.

Different Articles from Rodman to Rutland New York.