"The Dighton Rock is a 40-ton boulder, originally located in the riverbed of the Taunton River at Berkley, Massachusetts (formerly part of the town of Dighton). The rock is noted for its petroglyphs, carved designs of ancient and uncertain origin, and the controversy about their creators.
In 1963, during construction of a coffer dam, state officials removed the rock from the river for preservation. It was installed in a museum in a nearby park, Dighton Rock State Park. In 1980 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)." (1)
"In 1918, Edmund Delaware detected the name of a Portuguese captain and the date 1511 inscribed on the rock.
Other evidence to support this theory was discovered by Joseph D. Fragoso in 1951, and DaSilva in 1960.
A detailed interpretation was presented to the First International Congress of the History of Discoveries in Lisbon , Portugal , by Manuel L. da Silva, on September 8, 1960.
Delabarre, Fragoso and Da Silva each dedicated more than 30 years of their lives to developing the Portuguese theory. All these three men visited the Dighton Rock many times at different phases of tides, during the day and during the night.
Other evidence to support this theory was discovered by Joseph D. Fragoso in 1951, and DaSilva in 1960.
A detailed interpretation was presented to the First International Congress of the History of Discoveries in Lisbon , Portugal , by Manuel L. da Silva, on September 8, 1960.
Delabarre, Fragoso and Da Silva each dedicated more than 30 years of their lives to developing the Portuguese theory. All these three men visited the Dighton Rock many times at different phases of tides, during the day and during the night." (2)
This is the 4th replica of the Dighton Rock made. It was made by 6 Portuguese-Americans. They use 60 galons of Resin (227,4 Lts), 30 pounds of Glass Fiber (13.63 Kgs) and 30 pounds of Ink (13.63 Kgs).
Why was this Replica of Dighton Rock sent to Madeira Island?
Because of 2 Historic Facts:
First fact: The Flag of Madeira has in it´s center the Cross of Christ, symbol of the Portuguese Discoveries. Dighton Rock has carved 4 Crosses of Christ.
Second Fact: The American declaration of Independence. On the 4th of July of 1776, 56 men signed in Philadelfia the Declaration of Independece of América and they celebrated. Not with Champagne, not with beer, but, with Madeira Wine!
(From (
visit link) )
(1)From Wikipedia
(2)From Dightonrock.com