The American Runestone

I have enjoyed the show. As a kid in MN, with an uncle in Bismarck, ND I got to see a mandan earth lodge. Shaped similar to a viking long boat upside down. The boats the Mandan's used for fishing were said to be similar to Celtic round boats. Some of the first settlers said the Indians spoke a language similar to Galic. Since the Mandans have disappeared, as far as I know, it may be interesting additional research. Mapping the rivers of MN, SD, and ND may give a clue to exploration from anchorages in Lake Superior. (Drill holes in big rocks).

I deeply enjoyed this series. It encourages you to think, embrace conflicting evidence as a fact of life, and gain a perspective on how "history" remains a complex muddle that people keep hoping will turn into a simple nursery rhyme of a narrative.

"Science" is digging for more insight, sharing your findings with others, and thereby earning the right to voice your opinion about the big picture. Peter and Elroy, even as amateurs, are gamely contributing in fine fashion, and I wish them all the best.

Nicely produced, and a lovely treat. Some of the best TV I've watched in years.

The premise: Two goobers wander aimlessly and pointlessly throughout Minnesota looking for Viking runestones connected to the Kensington Stone. Of course, there are already countless books by real historians which argue both sides of the Kensington Stone's authenticity. Apparently, this show's producers never cracked open any of those books for research. That could have made for an interesting examination but, instead, this is precisely the type of television "investigation" which is an embarrassing joke. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. paints a more realistic portrayal of the Marine Corps than this show does to archaeology. I've listened in on more intellectual conversations between inebriants in a bar than the discussions on this program. Secrets of the Viking Stone has all the earmarks of the usual hackneyed programs of this ilk: 1) The commercial breaks are longer than the segments, which repeat half of the previous segment when they return from those commercial breaks. 2) Scott "I See Templars Behind Every Bush and Under Every Rock" Wolter is one of the talking heads trying to make sense of this mess.

We can lose site of the significance of our heritage in today's world. I am a native Minnesotan and 55% Norwegian and 47% Swedish. I come from a wild Viking family of 9 (+ 4 ) I am sure that we, the Vikings, have forged our own way, without the help of Christopher Columbus. We are a driven people and Thank You for recognizing our Viking heritage, of which we are so proud.

Definitely not top-shelf archeology, but these two are enjoyable to spend time with. Plenty of Minnesota landscape to soak up. Maybe too much. Needs a little more meat in the soup. E.g., someone anonymously left them a package containing a bone. Showed it to police, who discovered it was human. The two turned in the bone to authorities but never wondered what it could have meant or why someone would have left it for them. Too many clues like this not fully examined. Still a pleasant hour. Hope to see more of these two.