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By STEVEN ISBITTS
The Tampa Tribune
NEW PORT RICHEY - A tireless prophet with a salt-and-pepper beard and an inviting grin, John Saxer knows that mainstream archaeologists, journalists and folks in Tarpon Springs think he’s nuts.
They reject his Greek mythology- and archaeology-based theories that Tarpon Springs is the center of the biblical Garden of Eden and the Tampa Bay area coastline was the seaport of Atlantis.
It’s been a tough sell, acknowledges Saxer, a 55-year-old bicycle mechanic and bartender who was homeless for much of 2004.
Saxer has been ignored by archaeologists nationwide for the past 18 months, despite offering evidence of what he claims are 6,500-year-old stone ark anchors abundant on land near shorelines in New Port Richey, Holiday and Tarpon Springs.
“It gets scary when you’re in front of the field,” said Saxer, an amateur archaeologist since his college days at the University of Wisconsin. “You don’t want to be out there alone. You start to question yourself.”
Last week, Saxer had a breakthrough. He found a believer, the type he had sought for years, an archaeologist with credentials and financial backing.
Bill Donato, 55, a California archaeologist known for his underwater work near the Bahamas with the Association of Research and Enlightenment, came here to study Saxer’s finds.
The maverick archaeologist was lured by pictures of stones Saxer sent him and Saxer’s telephone descriptions.
“I don’t believe any of the Garden of Eden theories, or most of John’s views of Atlantis, which I did my master’s thesis on,” Donato said before his trip here. “I’m interested because the pictures are similar to anchors found at Bimini last year and to [5,000-year-old] finds in the Middle East.”
Finally, Saxer had found an expert willing to study the stones, which range in size from fragments light enough to be held, to rocks with multiple holes weighing more than a ton.
“He’s the best I could have found. I commend him for thinking outside the box,” Saxer said. “I’ve wanted a team of archaeologists, people a lot more knowledgeable than me, to study the undeniable evidence and make their own conclusions.”
Rock Hunting
Fresh off a red-eye flight to Tampa, Donato, armed with cameras, GPS equipment and sampling tools, had Saxer give him a tour of the alleged anchors.
Under sunny skies in Tarpon Springs, they looked at stones in wooded areas, on the sides of roads and on church property.
At first, Donato was not impressed.
“This is a natural formation,” Donato said beside a large rock, as Saxer quietly disagreed.
But Donato perked up outside Mark Szerlag’s small house on Firecreek Court in Holiday. On the front lawn, near the sidewalk, sits a roughly 4-foot-by-5-foot rock, about 18 inches thick, with a symmetrical hole near the top.
“It’s possibly a modified rock, an anchor with multiple rope grooves,” Donato said.
The stone is similar in design to a sandstone anchor recovered in India by the Centre for Underwater Archaeology of Tamil University in India, as shown in a 2004 university report published in Current Science. That anchor, the report says, is from the 13th century.
Donato and Saxer proceeded to the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Dailey Lane in New Port Richey. There, wedged deep in the grass of the median on Dailey Lane, about 150 yards from the Pithlachascotee River, sits a massive stone with two holes, both 17 1/2 inches in diameter.
Donato said it clearly was an artificial formation with distinct rope grooves running through both holes and other properties that show it may have been used as an anchor or mooring stone.
“The size is astounding,” Donato said, “far bigger than anything I’ve seen. It may have been a mooring stone. The Romans used circles set this way. It’s a similar shape to Carthaginian findings.
“The size, and the fact that it’s found away from water, might make it ancient,” he said. “You can’t rule it out.”
Thomas O’Neill, New Port Richey’s director of public works, said the stone has been in the median since the road was constructed in the mid-1970s.
“I’m assuming it’s a lime rock boulder that was excavated when the area was developed and placed or left there for decoration,” O’Neill said.
Saxer spotted the stone while driving a limousine about 10 years ago.
“I didn’t realize what I was looking at,” said Saxer, who began honing his Garden of Eden theory 12 years ago. “It hit me about a year and a half ago after I had done years of Internet research on anchors.”
Saxer says there are at least 50 “first-class” stone anchors with holes from St. Petersburg to Hudson. He found most near water, but some miles inland. There are more than 200 anchor pieces, Saxer said.
Roger Smith, Florida’s state underwater archaeologist, said, “Stone anchors have not been discovered in Florida.”
“I’m not surprised at all what might turn up, though,” he added.
Myriad Theories
The state routinely gets all kinds of queries from people with archaeological claims, said state archaeologist Ryan Wheeler, but few are investigated.
“We hear from a lot of interesting people. Mr. Saxer had some real far-out stuff,” Wheeler said. “Most archaeologists are interested in working to preserve sites. Modern archaeology has sort of swung away from these kinds of wild things.
“We don’t have a fleet of trucks and staff who go out and look.”
People who think they made an archaeological find should document it and try to have an article published, Wheeler said. “That’s essentially where things are introduced, debated and determined,” he said.
Michael Faught, a former Florida State University archaeology professor who worked alongside Donato at Bimini, said mainstream archaeologists rarely get involved with those yearning to find evidence of higher early societies or prove biblical history.
“It gets uncomfortable getting stuck between nut balls and academics,” Faught said. “I believe it’s important to stay open-minded to new ideas, but there’s a limit.”
Limits are not part of Saxer’s approach to archaeology, which melds Bible, mythology and science.
“The anchors are a link to how we got here on Earth,” said Saxer, who once designed a line of pyramid energy beds sold in stores.
For now, Saxer is enjoying the vindication he feels from Donato’s visit. But that’s only the first step toward proving his theories.
Donato plans to obtain laboratory analysis of stone samples, and he is eager to return with colleagues for further study and underwater dives near Anclote Key.
A team of archaeologists investigating, Saxer said, will propel his find to an international spectacle, one that could spark a tourist boom and a book deal for him.
“I want to wake the world up and let the world know this place was Eden,” Saxer said. “And I’d like to see the anchors in museums, where people can touch them and take themselves beyond religion.”
Researcher Buddy Jaudon contributed to this report. Contact Steven Isbitts at (727) 451-2336 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Posted by john christian saxer, the Garden of the three Hesperdies on 06/07 at 09:16 PM
I have come to show mankind where eden actually was located Without my work absolutly noone would have ever found it because all have fallen short save one.
Posted by john christian saxer, the Garden of the three Hesperdies on 06/07 at 09:13 PM
They, the anchors of our faith, are proof of Ancient shipping on a massive scale. Only Atlantis in our history equates to this reality. So let the ignorant remain so. The rest of us see that the holy rocks of the ages speak only the truth.
Posted by Paul Kuhlmann, New Port Richey, Florida on 07/04 at 11:44 PM
I live in New Port Richey, Florida. I have lived here for 7 years. Your story about the guy who studies the odd stones was a fun read, but I wish to add that these large stones with perfectly cut holes are found all over the place here. I’ve long wondered about them myself. The guy is an odd fellow, and his ‘Garden of Eden’ ideas are goofy, but the stones do exist, and the holes are obviously man-made. These stones are plentiful, many are huge, and most of them and just sitting on top of the ground. Reach your own conclusions folks, but if nothing else, Saxer has opened a dialogue and this might spur further investigation. Who can oppose at least having scholars look more closely?
Posted by Dr. Greg Little, Memphis, TN on 07/02 at 05:56 PM
Mr. Saxer may well be a bit eccentric, but his ideas and speculations aren’t the essential issue. The issue is that these rocks are there and they are unexplained. Are they anchors? That remains to be seen, but they are interesting and intriguing to those with an interest in solving such mysteries. And archaeology seldom has the resources to investigate such anomalous finds. What is left is the mystery and few determined souls who want to solve it. Perhaps the best course of action is to start by asking local Native Americans, as was suggested.
Posted by Ernest Humdinger, Clearwater, Florida on 06/29 at 01:07 AM
Canoe anchors? “First Peoples”? Get over yourself, chief.
Posted by E.P. Grondine, North America on 06/28 at 10:04 AM
Why does Mr. Saxer think that the First Peoples were unable to drill large holes in rocks?
If even some of these stones turn out to be man-worked, and he has yet to show this, given that Columbus’s chroniclers made multiple reports of different peoples’ ocean going canoes, wouldn’t mooring stones and anchors for these canoes be the easiest explanation?
All of this confused nonsense about Eden is racist in the extreme, to say the least. It also looks to me like Mr. Saxer is seeking to get straight with the Great Spirit by studying these stones, and perhaps he would be better off seeking some Seminole medicine man to provide him with the answers he seeks in these regards.
Posted by Mike Smith, Australia on 06/28 at 07:05 AM
Maybe these anchors held ropes for really big tents. That would suit nomadic people, they could set up camp in the same spot each season.
Posted by Kevin W.L.Decker, Tunnel Hill GA. on 06/27 at 07:33 PM
Ive spent some time examining the local rock’s in that part of FL.Even Joining the Tampa Bay Fossil Club.There are Interesting artifact’s (Possible Impact related ejecta rock’s) from there all the way to Tenn and beyond.looking at the evidence I’ve found and continue to find,Lead’s me to believe the whole southeastern U.S,was involved in a massive event.Impact Tsunami?Massive flooding like nothing ever seen before?..Something on a very large scale happened here in the not so distant past,and I’m willing to share my thoughts with anybody,I don’t think he’s too far off base.
Posted by Herb Allison, Dominican Republic on 06/27 at 12:49 PM
jim dandy,
In your posting you say,“if Jesus does come back again we’ll just do what we did last time, nail him to a bit of wood and leave him there till he dies”.
You don’t seem to be aware that Jesus gave up his life willingly. His comment on the issue is recorded in John 10:18, “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” In fact on the night of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, one of his disciples used his sword to defend him. Jesus commanded him: “Return your sword to its placeâ€
The next time he comes many like minded people will attempt to treat him with the same scorn as you do. You might google Revelation 19, read it and reconsider your course of action should you be around when he does.
Posted by Andy Welshuser, Wales on 06/27 at 10:04 AM
Interesting and I agree that scientists need to think wider than they are at the moment. I dont agree with the Atlantis and the Eden connections but agree that many many cultures have interacted with North America before Columbus “officially” found the continent. Whats the US govt doing about heading up a team to uncover the truth? Surely its in the countries interests to find out the history of their own country?
Posted by Stormy Williams, Oak Park, GA on 06/27 at 08:40 AM
History is older than we would like to think. Many cultures came to North and South America long before Columbus. It’s about time someone thought outside the box and looked at the evidence. I do not back the Eden or the Atlantis in Florida belief but I do believe that there are a lot of lost civilazations all through out the world. With continued efforts of people like Donato and Saxer we will one day uncover all if not most of our lost history. This discovery is just the tip of the iceburg.
Posted by Lohas Nase, Tampa, FL on 06/26 at 09:06 PM
> “It made me real angry”
Were you teaching English at that private school, Lisa?
Posted by wahlberg, Milan, IL on 06/26 at 07:38 PM
Ancient anchors such as this have been used as ballast in more modern ships (1700s). So it’s not that uncommon to find these wherever ships from the 1700s are known to have been.
Posted by Andrew Sewell, Columbus, Ohio on 06/26 at 05:32 PM
As with the so-called Bosnian pyramids, much ado about nothing. Any archaeologist worthy of the name knows that ancient societies leave behind tons of trash. Never has there been a society that only leaves behind stone monuments and nothing else.
Posted by Lisa Sherman, South Tampa on 06/26 at 03:58 PM
Years ago my dog dug up an artifact looking stone in my yard. Nobody at any government agency or USF would give me the time of day. And I don’t even believe we’re living in EDEN. At the time I was a private school teacher regularly tutoring students at MacDill AFB. It made me real angry that experts in their field didn’t even want to look. I applaud Mr. Saxer for perservering. I hope he has a real find that shakes up the system a bit.
Posted by Mike O'Neill, St. Petersburg on 06/26 at 03:10 PM
Not any more far fetched than the lizzard people in Clearwater, you know, L. Ron’s crew. I think this area is really the garden of Eatin. So many resturants, so little time.
Posted by Eiger Galt, Pinellas Co. on 06/26 at 02:07 PM
Thanks Jim Dandy, I was worried I would need to review the evidence before coming to a conclusion, but you saved me the trouble with your learned pronouncements—and all whilst sitting in front of a PC on the other side of the world. As a bonus, your exceedingly clever, not-at-all adolescent Christian-baiting doesn’t belie an underlying confused hatred of God; it merely displays the superior humanist reasoning we all expect from a tolerant, non-bitter atheist. Right?
Posted by Jonas Brock, Tampa, FL on 06/26 at 12:54 PM
John Saxer is a friend of mine and his theories are spot-on. I have spent hours and hours discussing this with him. John, I back you 100%.
Posted by Mitchel Banks, Tampa on 06/26 at 12:54 PM
Some of his ideas are a little far fetched, but if he has in fact found 13th century anchors, it will be intersting to see what effect it has on Florida’s known history.
Posted by jim dandy, australia on 06/26 at 09:29 AM
Jeff Martin is clearly a supremely evolved Atlantean to be able to deduce what a person is or isnt from a comment left at the end of a bizarre tale of mental illness and some rocks which may or may not have had a rope tied around them at one point in history. Also Jeff, as you go about free thinking perhaps you could spend some time pondering your words as “baseless” cant be applied to an individual, just arguments like yours.
PS if Jesus does come back again Mr Malvoe, we’ll just do what we did last time, nail him to a bit of wood and leave him there till he dies
Posted by Jeff Martin, Carrollwood on 06/26 at 08:00 AM
N Jama White is clearly not a psychologist nor psychiatrist and so should leave those conclusions up to those qualified to do so. Otherwise, you are just being ignorant for how else to you explain over 200 suspected anchors from Sarasota to hudson?? That’s the point you cannot, so leave speculation to those interested enough to have an informed ability to comment. I agree with Malvoe—free thinkers are the basis of every field of education we study today. Theory is great and should be pursued in scientific manners, not ridiculed by baseless ignorant individuals.
Posted by J Gibson, Louisville, KY on 06/26 at 07:54 AM
I didn’t find it in bad taste, nor an attempt at humor. And bad/amateur science does not indicate mental problems. Obviously, he at least has a little bit of validity, a real archaeologist did say that some of the stones appeared to be anchors. All talk of mythical places aside, ancient anchors alone would be a significant find if genuine.
Also, a great number of now-famous scientists were ridiculed in their time for having “crazy” theories; theories that were eventually proven correct and we take for granted today.
Posted by N. Jama White, Tampa, FL on 06/26 at 12:34 AM
Clearly, the subject of this story has mental problems, and he shouldn’t have been exploited by the reporter. It’s not funny. It’s in poor taste.
Posted by Constantine Malvoe, Brooksville, Fla. on 06/26 at 12:28 AM
Glad to see that Tribune reporters are open to writing about all kinds of thinkers, not just who society tells us is credible. Without us guys on the fringe, the world would be a pretty boring place, don’t you think? What would the media do to a modern day Plato, or Jesus? I sure hope Mr. Saxer is proven right. It’ll drive up property values around here, and we might get less politics in the paper for a while.
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Posted by Gavin Callaghan, New Port Richey, FL on 12/18 at 06:45 PM
Dear John Saxer,
I live in New Port Richey and am also studying the legend of Atlantis. I would be interested in discussing our theories if you would like. Where on earth can one find your contact information?
Sincerely,
GDC