NORWAY – An official at the Maine Department of Transportation said this week the agency will try to help the town save the so-called Indian Rock on Route 117.

The rock, which is believed to have been used by prehistoric Indians to grind corn, is set to be blasted away when a $1.6 million road reconstruction project begins next month.

“We’re going to get an excavator over there and see if there’s an easy way to move that thing,” said Heath Cowan, MDOT’s project manager.

Cowan said it will be an easier job if the rock is portable and not part of a larger ledge outcrop. “We have no means to blast pockets out,” he said, adding that MDOT will work with the town in any way it can to help get the rock resettled.

Cowan said MDOT has been aware of the rock for many years but the state has declared it a natural occurrence.

“From their perspective, it is not deemed historic,” he said.

Leon Cranmer, a staff historic archaeologist with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, said Wednesday that the site has been investigated several times over the past 20 years including a review within the past month.

The same conclusion has been reached each time.

“We looked all around the rock. There is nothing to indicate any occupation,” Cranmer said of the alleged occupation by prehistoric Indians predating the early 1600s.

Cranmer said the conclusion by state historic archaeologists was based on several facts. They include the fact that Indians were very mobile in that period and would not have found one rock to grind corn on. Additionally, he said, the topography of the area was not suited to Indian occupation because there was no nearby water body such as a river or stream to canoe.

The rock, which has a deep depression, is believed to be simply a natural formation, he said.

Fact or legend, town officials are committed to trying to save the so-called Indian Rock.

Selectman Chairman Bill Damon has committed $1,000 of his own money toward the project and the board has approved an additional $300 from the Dennis Cole Trust Fund to make the project happen, if town meeting members approve the appropriation.

Although the Maine Historic Preservation Commission has debunked the myth that a depression in the rock was used by Indians, local area residents say fact or fiction, it’s a rock worth saving.

“If this is a legend only and not an Indian rock, my idea is it might carry more weight as a legend, not so much to preserve it but to create something for the tourists to see,” said Jerry Ellingwood, a Harrison road resident.

Ellingwood told selectmen recently that he would like to see the rock moved to the Route 118 picnic area at Lake Pennesseewassee.

“If it is legend that might even be a bigger draw to tourists,” he said.

Town officials agreed.

“If it something we can do for a small amount (of money) we should try,” said Town Manager David Holt.