Core Sampling and C14 Dating

Core Sampling and C14 Dating

Core Sampling 2020, by Jay Mackley

After the scanning was completed in Expedition 2, it was determined that core samples should be obtained for C14 dating. Having the magnetometer scans in hand is the key to knowing the GPS coordinates for good core samples. Instead of waiting for Spring of 2021 to obtain the core samples, Mike Stahlman was able to obtain the core driller and the necessary GPS receiver quickly so that core samples could be obtained in 2020. This was difficult physical work to do this manually in the cold, wind, and rain but it was accomplished in late November with Mike Stahlman, Scott Willis, and Wayne May on site.

Vilnius Radiocarbon, By John Lefgren, Dec 1 2020

Vilnius Radiocarbon is part of the largest research organization in Lithuania – Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC). The organization has made over 15,000 Carbon-14 tests for hundreds of companies from around the world. Their laboratory results have been used for reports that are printed in the best scientific journals.

Today the organization agreed to open its laboratory to the Heartland Research Group to determine the timeline from the radiocarbon evidence found from charcoal of ancient fires in the ground of Montrose, Iowa.

This is a picture (below) of the Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory at the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology in Vilnius, Lithuania. This facility provides radiocarbon C14 dating of samples with most accurate method using Accelerated mass spectrometer manufactured by National Electrostatics Corporation (USA). The laboratory will scientifically determine from our archaeological samples specific dates that are accurate to 30 years.

We have used the SENSYS MV X3 equipment to scan more than 220 acres in Montrose, Iowa. The subtle magnetic anomalies measured in nano-Teslas came passively out of the ground and logged on to digital maps that are available for our viewing and analysis. We made these scans only two weeks ago. The scans are now some of the most extensive landscapes with digital accuracy in North America.

We now have thousands of specific points where we can collect black charcoal from ancient fires. Carbon-14 testing of the small amounts of charcoal from these ancient fire pits in Montrose will be crucial for funding the phase of our research. Our sponsors want to know more about the dates and time frame of what we see on the digital maps. Next week we will take core samples that are from three to five feet underground. We have located the places of the ancient fires on grids within GPS coordinates that are accurate to +/-0.25″.

GPS Receiver obtained by Mike Stahlman for use by the Heartland Research Group.
Mike Stahlman checks the readout on the GPS receiver.
Core sample being drilled by hand. This is difficult work to do manually.
Careful field notes are taken for all sampling activity.
Some charcoal retrieved from the drilling activities.
Each sample sent is bagged and labeled according to directions.
List of samples sent for C14 dating.
Vilnius, Lithuania where the C14 samples were sent.
Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory at the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Samples being prepared for C14 analysis and dating. Dating is expected to be accurate to +/- 30 years.
 C14 dating results are expected to be available January 28, 2021.
HRG History — by Jay Mackley
HISTORY AND MISSION STATEMENT OF THE

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.


Go to the Donation Page


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.

  • What: Sonar scanning of Mississippi between Nauvoo and Keokuk. The purpose of the expedition was to discover a crossing route that ancient people could have taken.
  • Who: Heartland Research Inc volunteers.
  • Where: Between Keokuk and Nauvoo, Iowa.
  • How: Private donations of money, time and equipment.
  • What: Magnetic scanning of 221 acres of farmland near Montrose, Iowa. The purpose of the expedition was the discovery of fire-pits and other evidence of ancient occupation.
  • Who: Members of the Heartland Research Inc, local farmers, volunteers, plus technicians from German company SYNSYS. Signs of habitation were found with magnetometery scanning and then C14 dating.
  • Where: Near Montrose Iowa and between Montrose and Fort Madison Iowa.
  • How: Large and small donations of money, time and equipment.
  • What: A one week seminar in Fort Madison, Iowa with 25+ participants. Included visits to the Putnam museum in Davenport, Iowa. There were twelve presentations on the ancient history and written languages of the upper Mississippi.
  • Who: Members of Heartland Research Inc plus presenters and interested attendees.
  • Where: Fort Madison, Iowa.
  • How: Private donations for space, time and lodging.
  • What: Ground penetrating electrical resistivity scanning for building foundations using electrical resistivity equipment from LandVisor.
  • Who: Members of Heartland Research Inc and volunteers.
  • Where: Zarahemla in Lee County, Iowa.
  • How: Private donations and ground support.
  • What: Metal analysis for alloy content. Ancient arrow and spearhead found in Wisconsin stream of cast bronze.
  • Who: Heartland Research Group
  • Where: Sample found in Wisconsin stream by scuba diver.
  • How: Private donations for lab analysis.
  • What: High resolution LiDAR scanning by supporter Air Data Solutions of 34,000 acres in Lee County, Iowa and also part of Illinois. The focus was to create high quality digital maps showing the terrain of the land, especially in the foothill areas where large earthworks are found. Discovery of 5-10 miles of ancient earthworks from LiDAR using QGIS and ArcGIS visualization software.
  • Who: Members of Heartland Research Inc plus AirData Solutions Inc.
  • Where: Lee County, Iowa and also part of Illinois, covering the much of Nauvoo.
  • How: Private donations for services, data processing, and analysis.
  • What: Commence process of restoring the world's oldest ship replica from 600BC, which has circumnavigated Africa and crossed the Atlantic ocean from the Middle East to America.
  • Who: Members of Heartland Research Inc plus volunteers.
  • Where: Lee County, Iowa between Montrose and Fort Madison.
  • How: Private donations for materials, space, and equipment plus donations in labor.

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.
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