Attached are two photos of a stone mound with tail that I found and photographed in Rochester, VT, two weeks ago.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Stone Mound with tail - Rochester VT
Norman Muller writes:
Attached are two photos of a stone mound with tail that I found and photographed in Rochester, VT, two weeks ago.
Attached are two photos of a stone mound with tail that I found and photographed in Rochester, VT, two weeks ago.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Another little rock pile with a tail
This looks out towards the southwest, over Rocky Pond in Leominster State Forest. Last time I looked at this site, the main pile seemed like such a messy pile, near enough to Fenton Rd, that I thought it was probably just bulldozer activity. 
But this time I had a careful look around, recalling that there were also some smaller piles nearby. As I was saying, it is these small outliers that cinch the deal for me.
Taking, therefore, a closer look at the main pile we see what is actually a very typical (and now familiar) design:
On the left is a rectangular structure with a depression in the middle. Then the pile has a lower wall-like extension curving around and ending to the right of the tree. This "tail" encloses another rectangular space.
I know this might seem a laughable interpretation of what looks like just another pile of rubble but, for me, this is a pretty standard Wachusett Tradition site with a view to the southwest over water and with the small outlier piles.
Update:
Note the map fragment from here where "A" is this site overlooking Rock Pond. Also, the plan of the main pile is this:
In general for sites along Fenton Rd, see here.
But this time I had a careful look around, recalling that there were also some smaller piles nearby. As I was saying, it is these small outliers that cinch the deal for me.
Taking, therefore, a closer look at the main pile we see what is actually a very typical (and now familiar) design:
On the left is a rectangular structure with a depression in the middle. Then the pile has a lower wall-like extension curving around and ending to the right of the tree. This "tail" encloses another rectangular space.I know this might seem a laughable interpretation of what looks like just another pile of rubble but, for me, this is a pretty standard Wachusett Tradition site with a view to the southwest over water and with the small outlier piles.
Update:
Note the map fragment from here where "A" is this site overlooking Rock Pond. Also, the plan of the main pile is this:
In general for sites along Fenton Rd, see here.
Reasonably Deep in the Leominser Woods
I was busy fighting black flies and trying to get even deeper into the woods. But I got tired before getting to the terra incognita. 
No one has seen this in a while: 
Rather like a number of little "marker pile" clusters, or else little water ceremonies with gap piles.
Hundreds of little piles in there:
And moose poopies!
And violets:
And lady slippers coming up next:
Love this stuff:
No one has seen this in a while: 
Rather like a number of little "marker pile" clusters, or else little water ceremonies with gap piles.
Hundreds of little piles in there:
And moose poopies!
And violets:
And lady slippers coming up next:
Love this stuff:
Thursday, May 06, 2010
White Trillium (not rock pile related) - Leominster State Forest
I suppose this is a common flower but I don't see them often.
Clear Lake Cairns
Rob Buchanan writes:
Attached are some images of a field of cairns that I came across last Sunday in an area near the North end of Lake Oscawana in Putnam County, NY.
There are about eight cairns or rock piles in an 80 x 60m area which is enclosed by prominent stone walls. The cairns vary greatly in size and quality of construction yet each is found on the top of a boulder or rock outcrop.
Another unusual feature of this "field" was the lack of thick undergrowth which covered much of the surrounding terrain.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
More of those Leominster Mounds
Revisiting an old favorite place (rather, a favorite old place):
Pile #1, various views:
From on top:
Pile #2:
Pile #3:
Piles #4 and #5:
Please note the small structure in the foreground. As much as anything else, small details like this are key to seeing this as a ceremonial site.
Pile #6:
This one is pretty much smeared away. One suspect worse than vandals; perhaps it was formally excavated in the past?
Pile #7:
Note that bit of wall coming out and turning a corner to the right in the foreground. Another "tail". As I look at these, I am increasingly convinced that the "tail" represents what is left of the wall of an open structure, perhaps roofed at one time with some now decomposed material, that was connected to the mound and part of its design.
Pile #1, various views:
From on top:Pile #2:
Pile #3:
Piles #4 and #5:
Please note the small structure in the foreground. As much as anything else, small details like this are key to seeing this as a ceremonial site.Pile #6:
This one is pretty much smeared away. One suspect worse than vandals; perhaps it was formally excavated in the past?Pile #7:
Note that bit of wall coming out and turning a corner to the right in the foreground. Another "tail". As I look at these, I am increasingly convinced that the "tail" represents what is left of the wall of an open structure, perhaps roofed at one time with some now decomposed material, that was connected to the mound and part of its design.Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Mound joined to short stretch of stone wall
When I saw this mound, I could see a wall emanating from it, but the wall led off downhill where I couldn't see. I was thinking of Norman's fine photo from the Oley Hills [click here, 4th photo] and wondering if the wall stopped short (click to enlarge):
So I had to go downhill through the downed trees to find out. Saw two more mounds down there and found that, indeed, the wall does stop after a while. So the site layout is something like this, with a run-off gully starting at the first mound, constrained a bit by the wall, and passing between two other mounds around where the wall ends, something like this:
Some other photos from the lower end of the arrangement, here are the two mounds, as seen while looking towards the wall:
Here is the run-off gully passing between the two mounds, with the end of the wall to the right:
It is interesting that the wall is nicely squared off at this lower end. I have little doubt this is ceremonial and, as such, it dispels the idea the somehow Indians did not terminate walls in a tidy fashion. So I am getting over the misconception that tidy wall end means the wall was built by anglos.
One last look:
Gosh this place needs to be cleaned up. I made a comment to the Leominster Fire Department warden (Paul Kennedy) about how the whole place needs a good fire, realizing later he might worry I am an arson. I am not but these woods are a mess and the Leominster Fire Department should do some controlled burns.
So I had to go downhill through the downed trees to find out. Saw two more mounds down there and found that, indeed, the wall does stop after a while. So the site layout is something like this, with a run-off gully starting at the first mound, constrained a bit by the wall, and passing between two other mounds around where the wall ends, something like this:
Some other photos from the lower end of the arrangement, here are the two mounds, as seen while looking towards the wall:
Here is the run-off gully passing between the two mounds, with the end of the wall to the right:
It is interesting that the wall is nicely squared off at this lower end. I have little doubt this is ceremonial and, as such, it dispels the idea the somehow Indians did not terminate walls in a tidy fashion. So I am getting over the misconception that tidy wall end means the wall was built by anglos.One last look:
Gosh this place needs to be cleaned up. I made a comment to the Leominster Fire Department warden (Paul Kennedy) about how the whole place needs a good fire, realizing later he might worry I am an arson. I am not but these woods are a mess and the Leominster Fire Department should do some controlled burns.
Few rewards for persisting through the brush - Leominster State Forest
You struggle through the mountain laurel and through the tangle of branches and downed trees from a recent winter ice storm, and you push through and you push through and you get to a place that probably no one has been in 60 years, a place that probably has never been visited by anyone living, a place which is therefore the "wilderness"; and you find a little something. Behold, a reward for the effort:
(A wetland is to the right in this picture)
Or again, a little something next to a brook:
A familiar shape. I find it is worth looking at the shapes of single rocks on rocks.
(A wetland is to the right in this picture)Or again, a little something next to a brook:
A familiar shape. I find it is worth looking at the shapes of single rocks on rocks.
Monday, May 03, 2010
An artificial berm along Snake Meadow Brook
Frank Karkota showed me another interesting site along Snake Meadow Brook, including propped boulders (shown earlier) , some noticeable structures:
and a few hints of rock piles:
But the most interesting feature, for me, was a berm of smaller cobbles:
Walls at either end, join this slightly curved berm to larger boulders:
The result is that the berm encloses a space right next to and opening towards the brook with a view to the east. One more look:More flowers appear
Each week brings a few new ones. These are already two weekends old:
I do not know the species. It is tempting to call that a "buttercup", but the leaves are more like violet leaves. Speaking of which, here are some violets:
I do not know the species. It is tempting to call that a "buttercup", but the leaves are more like violet leaves. Speaking of which, here are some violets:
Peacocks and Turkeys
One time I posted about an apparent turkey/peacock hybrid. This leads to occasionally getting emails on the subject. These are from the Gonzalez family of Temple Georgia. These birds regularly visit the backyard together:
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