PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER The complexity of a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle is soon recognized by anyone who attempts to complete it. The puzzle pieces o
PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER
The complexity of a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle is soon recognized by anyone who attempts to complete it. The puzzle pieces often weigh less than a pound and fit on the top of a kitchen table.
Imagine a puzzle that weighs 40 tons and measures 60 feet by 60 feet by 20 feet. The puzzle has thousands of cut pieces that have 7,500 joints framing the whole structure. Each piece must fit within a tolerance of 1/16th of an inch. The pieces must be assembled according to an ancient design that dates back 2,600 years. The lines are non-linear. The balance of form for the curved lines are such that they cut through the water like ducks paddling on a lake. By all standards of form and function, the ship’s design and engineering are remarkable for any time and in any place.
Big puzzle require big minds. For the last 66 years Michael Stalhman was in training so that he would have the skills and experiece to put together the pieces of the world’s only Phoenician ship replica. This is the ship that Captain Philip Beale sailed more than 30,000 nautical miles around Aftrica and across the Atlantic. We are amazed how God accomplishes His marvelous work.
Take a look at this video to see Rick Bennett’s interview with Michael Stalhman on Gospel Tangents Podcast. Click HERE.
Ery'j Sassi, Heartland Research's partner in the ancient Port of Carthage, arranged a video conference with leading experts in the Old World and a University President from the New World were able to see a live stream from the Phoenicia Ship Museum in Montrose, Iowa.
Could there be a connection between the Bible and ancient America from that time of trouble in 600 BC? We believe there is. Come to Montrose, Iowa, and see how the PHOENICIA is the connecting point for the Sticks of Joseph and Judah.
We have America's largest collection of Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) logs at the Phoenicia Workshop in Iowa. We have distilled and formulated an ancient scent from the essential oil that comes from our Cedar of Lebanon. The perfume provides a source of funding for the restoration of our ship…
Heartland Research has been studying ancient connections between the Old and New Worlds for over eight years. It has always been obvious to us that our resources are limited when compared to the size of the field of study. The support of our donors has been invaluable to us over…
With today’s technology, we connected a busload of tourists at the Phoenicia Ship Museum with our Tunisian partners in Carthage. The world’s oldest replica ship, which sailed on two oceans and two seas, was the reason for the live connection.
Mike and Betty LaFontaine The Native American couple will be at the Heartland Research Booth at the FIRM Foundation Expo, which will feature the 33rd International Book of Mormon Evidence Conference.
From Betty, More attended that evening about 100 people; once again we asked for raised hands who had heard of the Phoenicia again maybe 3! Once again Rod Meldrum presented both Mike and I did also all about The Phoenicia! Many were touched. Again Roger Cook and others traveled to…
"History is always being rewritten. But few people have the imagination and sheer guts of Philip Beale and his crew to demonstrate the seemingly impossible. This book is the most interesting and inspiring I have read in a long time" --Sir Ranulph Fiennes, OBE
International Seminar to be held on January 13, 2024 at Northampton College. Speakers include Yri and Veri Sanada, Ery'j B. Sassi Trimech, Blaise Colasante, Adam Stokes, Brian Nettles, Mike LaFontaine, and Betty LaFontaine.
The Ambassador’s Reception on February 16th, 2024, at the Tunisian Embassy in Washington DC near the White House. Connecting the ancient people of Tunisia with the ancient people of America.
The Heartland Research Group is a grassroots, boots-on-the-ground organization that believes that the historical
narrative of the Book of Mormon took place in the Heartland of North America. The HRG is active in archaeological
research and in the acquisition, restoration and display of ancient American artifacts. The HRG is currently
preparing an ancient ship replica called the "Phoenicia" for display. The ships construction design is patterned
after a shipwreck dating to 600 BC. The Phoenicia ship made modern voyages, first around Africa and then also from
the Middle East to Florida in 2019 – proving that voyages around Africa or from Sidon to North America were
feasible anciently.
Heartland Research Inc is a 501c3 private operating foundation for archaeological research and to complete preparations for the Phoenicia display. Current plans are for a museum large enough to house the Phoenicia
ship and many other ancient artifacts and exhibits from North America. The location of the museum is planned to be
in Zarahemla which is Lee County Iowa, near the Mississippi river and east of Nauvoo, Illinois.
Our activities are too many to list, but some recent major expeditions are listed below. Many of these expeditions
are open-ended and we expect to continue research in these and other similar activities as time, resources, and
volunteers become available. We have dozens of volunteers and hundreds of donors, large and small, but we need many
more. Check out the websites listed below for details of Heartland Research Group projects. Our current project is
is our biggest yet: to refurbish the Phoenicia ship for display.
We invite you to support our efforts so we can complete these worthy goals!
If you have skills or knowledge to contribute to our research and discovery projects, please contact us directly to volunteer.
Mission Statement
The Heartland Research Group researches archaeological evidence of the ancient civilizations of America. Heartland Research Group activities include:
Field Research Uses archeological techniques and scanning technologies to reveal the remains of ancient civilizations.
Ancient Artifacts Encourages and facilitate study of ancient North American artifacts, including tablets, tools, weapons, metal works, and other items.
Geography Research and develop maps, using scanning technologies and other means, to identify the locations and activities of ancient civilizations.
Linguistics Analyze and translate ancient writings found in North America, especially those relating to other civilizations world wide.
Preservation and Display Collect, restore, preserve, catalog and exhibit ancient artifacts and replicas, and make them readily available to researchers and viewable to the public.
Archaeology, Geology, and History Study and research into all aspects archaeology, geology, and history that shed light on ancient North American peoples and cultures.
Promotion and Support Raise awareness of our activities. Work directly with and support individuals and groups in activities that share our same goals.
The Heartland Research Group welcomes researchers and interested parties of all backgrounds to share their analysis and findings of ancient American heartland civilizations.