NORWAY — Indian Rock beside Route 117 was broken up by jackhammer and removed Thursday to allow the $1.6 million road reconstruction project to continue.

“We were able to save two large pieces that were part of the bowl,” said David Lycette, resident engineer for the Maine Department of Transportation’s highway program. “They will be moved to the rest area at Pennesseewassee Lake in the near future.”

Legend has it that the rock was used by prehistoric Indians to grind
corn or tan hides, but state archaeologists, who have investigated it
several times over the past 20 years, say there is no evidence that the
site was occupied by Indians in the early 1600s. The rock’s deep
depression is believed by state archaeologists to be simply a natural
formation.

Town officials committed this summer to trying to save the rock, that according to legend was used by Indians to grind corn. Late last month, they gathered at the rock in hopes of watching an excavator successfully remove it, but the rock turned out to be part of a much larger outcrop that was believed to extend across the road. It couldn’t be moved to the lakeside picnic area, where they had hoped to have an accompanying history for residents and
tourists to view.

Lycette said two pieces that show about one-third of each side of the
bowl were saved, and although people may not get a true sense of the
depth of the depression they will be able to see a fairly true picture
of the diameter.

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Indian Rock beside Route 117 in Norway was broken up by jackhammer on Thursday and removed to make way for reconstruction of the highway. Two pieces that show a portion of the deep bowl in the massive boulder were saved and will be preserved at the Lake Pennesseewassee rest area.