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).

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.

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.

Quirky and original. Very fargo esque.

Some interesting history and zipping about around rural minnesota. Slightly mad at times and huge leaps of faith taken with some of the stones and characters. But its light hearted and the dynamic between the two main leads has some laugh out loud moments.

Hope there is a sequel now we know more. Lots more to discover and only just scratched the surface in this series.

Just streamed all the episodes & found it really interesting. Ok,it's not the greatest production,but it's the story that's compelling with a twist I didn't expect. To me it only adds to my thoughts on scientists & the American ideology & how blinkered they can be how if something doesn't suit them, they don't want to know..The americans (not all I hasten to add) treat the land as if it has been theirs since humans began to walk the earth,not the 245 years it's been in their control & they seem to forget how it came to be & all the obstrocities that happened. This documentary shows just how hard it is to make them listen & even concider something even when the proof is there. Because they're so big & powerfull it's near on impossible for the minority to be heard..