Ruined mantle trying to refinish--Chris? Steve?

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I have stripped and sanded my 100 year old mantle. I do not know what kind of wood it is--probably oak but it has a very straight grain, more like pine. I am left with swirl marks that look like thumb prints mashed down into the wood. Based on some internet research, I believe this may have been caused by using a metal scraper with chemical stripper. Also based on my internet research, I made a huge mistake when I kept sanding with such a heavy grit sandpaper. The marks are very obvious, especially when polyurethan is applied. (I tested on a small area.) The only thing I can think of to do, however, is keep sanding until I get rid of these marks. (I can't do that on the carved pieces, of course, but I can on the flat pieces.) I really, really don't want to repaint the mantel. (In cause you missed this, I am also really, really discouraged.)