Life Below Zero Series 2 Episode 12 - Cairn at a favorite spot to hunt caribou

85 Miles Southwest of Noorvik Alaska ~23:28

There's that trail again

This is why I like my camera

Cuz it delivers nice colors:

Playing the "Occam's Razor" card - and getting it wrong

Occam's Razor is a principle for selecting between alternative hypotheses. The statement is:

If alternative hypotheses equally explain the facts then the simpler hypothesis is preferred.

This principle is used to claim that a simple explanation is correct when, in fact the explanation is not simple but is simplistic - naive and not actually covering the facts. Such uses of Occam's Razor pick a hypothesis and then cherry pick which facts to observe and which to dismiss. Famous examples, challenged by "fringe" archaeology, are common:

The "Clovis First" hypothesis: all humans arrived in America in a single "wave" of migration, after enough of the glacier had receded to make that possible. 

  - simple [CHECK]

 - all the facts [not unless you ignore thousands of examples of pre glacial sites, ignore the absence of Clovis material in Siberia, ignore the obvious diversity of arrowhead design styles] [NO CHECK]

The "No Europeans before Columbus" hypothesis.

 - simple [CHECK]

 - all the facts [not unless you ignore hundreds of European inscriptions, the tuberculosis resilience of New England's coastal tribes, as well as the general human tendency to go long distances in boats.] [NO CHECK]

The "Indians did not build in stone" hypothesis:

 - simple [CHECK]

 - all the facts [nope, there is not a single fact supporting this statement. Actually, the statement is not a testable hypothesis, and does not rise to the level of scientific statement] [NO CHECK]

So in practice Occam's Razor is used, not to choose between alternative hypotheses, but to exclude facts from consideration. If you hear Occam's Razor used in a conventional archeological discussion you can be almost certain it is being used to gloss over key details that do not fit the conventional thinking.

West of Peppercorn Hill, Headwaters of Mill River Upton

Had a fun walk down from the W. Main Str following the brook south and over to where it crosses East Str near the termination of Walnut Str. The walk was fun because, after crossing East street, I had an adventure getting through 50 yards of rose bushes in order to avoid the houses on either side. Boy! are rose bushes a pain. I exited, bloodied, via a small site and then on to the western edge of Peppercorn Hill. I got up on the hill then circled round though a new development and back west to East Str. - then back to my car, walking on roads.
At the beginning when I was north of Walnut Str, a small brook confluence was the first place I saw rock piles - and they are very much to be expected in this context: low to the ground, possibly in a line with spacing:

Right nearby, just to the south, a typical rectangular mound:

 Note the "trail" going through it on the left side. Closer:

Closer:

Other views:

Then that peculiar mound at the edge of the field:

Now I cross East Str at the intersection with Walnut. 50 yards in (wiping off some blood), some unexpected old piles in the swamp:

 This is right at a spring:

Then I went in a little further east, where there were several other small clusters of rock piles on the outcrops along the brook.

And:

 Closer:

And a path leading up past some rock piles:

With

 Closer:

And let's follow the path a little farther, to an outcrop over the brook:

Or we can look at this same outcrop, as it appears from the brook side, a trail leading up it:

Unresolvable ambiguity

Talk about confusing! Half of this pile's attributes are pure field clearing. The other half are pure burial mound, so I have no idea how to judge it. It is fun to discuss.

Some comments:
This pile is at the lower edge of a field. And it is covered with vines. The vines mean that a good deal of dirt was "scooped up" along with the rocks when they were dumped here. It is at the angle of repose for dumped rocks. That is why is is obviously a field clearing pile.

But from an opposing view: the pile is not really at an angle of repose - it is too broad and even on top. Also, all the rocks are the same small size - and what field has discards of such uniform dimension? Finally it has a hollow and so looks like a typical burial mound, if it was seen anywhere else. [That is not entirely true, since most rectangular mounds with hollows are low to the ground and this one sticks way up. It does happen sometimes, I have see tall ones at the top of the Falulah, and further south in Hassanamessit (neither example had a hollow though), so it is possible.]

You can see this mound from East Street in Upton/Hopkinton,  about 100 yards downhill to the west, behind the old yellow house:

Norvin Green State Forest (& "The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation") in Northern NJ

 “...an interesting mix of ancient native work along with possibly colonial era and post-colonial ruins.”

45 IMAGES CREATED 3 APR 2017

   

Will Kuberski  writes,“I suspect these were built on top of an ancient site, a much earlier construction. The foundations appear to be dug out of solid bedrock. It seems apparent that the farm was built where it is because the natives had previously built walls, leveled areas of earth and possibly engineered certain features of the area. There are classic rock piles and snake walls throughout the area that seem beyond the scope of a small horse farm. An interesting feature of this is called "the Natural Pool", which lies at the bottom of a stream which runs down the mountain. It was apparently dug out by hand in the 1930's for local recreation, and is still used. There's no telling what kind of neolithic history was wiped out during that construction, but it warrants a closer look. I suspect the entire area was a significant native site that has been almost obliterated by early settlers, but still apparent. Excavations on the farm house and the area have not been done, however it seems that the Weis Center staff might welcome such endeavors. Luckily the preservation of this area is not under threat.

All pics are free to download and publish as long as they're credited: Photos by WK Imagery.

  Thanks!

                Free download password: 01234

http://wkimagery.photoshelter.com/gallery/Norvin-Green-State-Forest-Wyanockie/G0000PUWLkJsHPpM/

Mass. Arch. Soc. Meeting RESCHEDULED

[From Curt Hoffman] Rolf has informed me that he is available to speak to the Central Mass. Chapter on the 15^th.   Please spread the word!

Details:
April Meeting, Sat. April 1 15 , 2017, Zion Lutheran Church, 41 Whitmarsh Avenue, Worcester MA
Remember to enter the Whitmarsh Street side of the church
AGENDA
7:30 Business Meeting: Janet Bessette
7:45 Refreshments: Alan Smith and Curtiss Hoffman
8:00 Lecture:

Mass Arch. Soc. Meeting Cancelled

(via Curt Hoffman) Saturday night's meeting in Worcester is cancelled.

I hope to hear about re-scheduling.

Broad Cove, Dighton, Massachusetts

     A satellite image of a salt marsh shows a stone wall that terminates with stone circles on each side, at the edge of the water. What could be the agricultural purpose?

      North side:

     South side:

     In the marsh, nearby:

     Pretty.

     Plenty of quartz flakes eroding out of the bank of the cove, nearby.

Doug Harris's "Phone In" Talk

I didn't phone in but have a report that Doug discussed the protection of sites and how the tribes want to work with the towns. This is pretty much the message of the USET resolutions. 
Notes from Brian McClain:

- Starting in 2011, Doug was involved in some submerged landscape study/policy(?) with David Robinson - maybe a publication “Submerged Cultural Sites and Landscapes”?

- Doug has worked on setting policy (for 4 yrs?) for offshore projects (windmills, etc) on how to handle cultural artifacts in conjunction with the U of Rhode Island School of Oceanography?

-  Wants to work on the town level with landholders and - especially - Town Historical Commissions since they are the ones with the power to stop development on recognized sites.  (Thus maybe we should just by-pass the Conservation Commission, etc… since that fight is probably unnecessary).  

- local tribes have decided on a unified approach to protecting sites- i.e. no one tribe will claim a site as their own

-mention of the film “Great Falls” by Ted Timrek.  Can find at hiddenlandscapes.com … might have to purchase…

- when talking about stone piles “prayers in stone”, mentioned Ezra Stiles writing in the 1700’s that an Indian friend would avoid those sites by 1/4 mile purposely to avoid the obligation to attend to it/them when passing. :)

- Otis State Park - 73 stone piles - development (pipeline?) would require removal of 1/3 of them.  Doug says the prayer is broken when the piles are disturbed.  

- The process of officially registering an Indian stone works as a religious site always requires at least one tribal specialist for evaluation.  Thus others can make the official ID, but they (we) can’t make the final decision without a tribal official as part of the process.

- Mentioned the fantastic effigies up in Carlisle

- Had good things to say about NEARA for the most part - they have kept focus on the ceremonial stone works - although sometimes stoneworks get ascribed to possible early European contact which annoys Doug…

Best pile yet in 2017

Spring Events about Rock Piles

It seems this is a spring full of events. I gave a talk last night to the Lions Club of Harvard - a nice group. As I count the events, there will have been five of them in March-April. That is quite a lot and represents a healthy acceleration in the public development of the subject of ceremonial stone structures.

NEARA Spring Meeting

April 21-23 Groton CT. See neara.org for details.

Doug Harris - Phone In Discussion

Mass. Forest Rescue is pleased to announce this phone seminar Sunday evening at 7 pm with Doug Harris, Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the Narragansett Tribal Historic Preservation Office.

Register for Call - in Information at:

massforestrescue@gmail.com by Saturday noon.

Or call/text at: 413-522-7505

PLEASE NOTE:

We are setting up a MFR Legal Defense Fund to protect Native American sacred stones in Massachusetts forests and forests themselves from ecocide and future generations from the worst effects of climate chaos/ecological destruction. Stay Tuned.

Beth Adams - Mass. Forest Rescue Campaign massforestrescue.org 

Like our Facebook Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/4climatenhealth/

The photo used above is from Killingworth CT:

http://rockpiles.blogspot.com/2006/01/turtle-piles-v1.html

http://wakinguponturtleisland.blogspot.com/2016/08/hammonasset-line.html

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207351748013924&set=g.4585999861&type=1&theater

[In case you do not know: Doug Harris is the person in the Narragansett Tribal Historic Preservation Office most involved with interpreting ceremonial stone features and interfacing between the tribes and the local communities.]

A Quantitative Assessment of Stone Relics in a Western Massachusetts Town

[From Bruce McAleer:] This Meeting is Open to the Public

April Meeting, Sat. April 1, 2017, Zion Lutheran Church, 41 Whitmarsh Avenue, Worcester MA
Remember to enter the Whitmarsh Street side of the church
AGENDA
7:30 Business Meeting: Janet Bessette
7:45 Refreshments: Alan Smith and Curtiss Hoffman
8:00 Lecture:

Black and White Stones (Woodbury CT)

Or "The Kid with the Snowplow"

  and switching the position of two stones to make a Stone Serpent "come alive" by making a realistic eye - even a light colored spot on a dark stone that mimics the reflection on the iris...

http://wakinguponturtleisland.blogspot.com/2017/03/black-and-white-stones-woodbury-ct.html

Ceremonial Stone Landscapes Presentation by Doug Harris (MA)

   "Seventy-three Native American sacred ceremonial stone landscape features have been identified by federally-recognized Tribes along the proposed pipeline route...."

  Just in from the Nolumbeka Project:

https://nolumbekaproject.org/

    "Even if you cannot attend this presentation, please consider making a financial donation for legal fees. Remember, it was not that long ago that we faced a similar battle with Kinder-Morgan in this immediate area and throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The ugly head of that black snake can re-surface. Much depends on the success of this Sandisfield campaign to set a precedent and save the forest and the ceremonial stone features. We witnessed the bulldozing of similar features at Standing Rock. Please help prevent any more desecration!"

       Information excerpted from fundraising letter follows:
 “There is currently an effort to explore legal avenues to protect this ceremonial stone landscape from being destroyed by the pipeline. The Nolumbeka Project supports the effort to protect these sacred stone structures. The estimate for the first phase of this legal work is $3,500. If you are able to contribute to the initial cost of this undertaking, please make your check payable to “Creative Thought and Action,” the fiscal sponsor for Climate Action Now, who is specifically amalgamating funds for this effort. Please be sure to put CSL in the “memo” line and mail your check to CAN’s treasurer:
Rene Theberge
250 Shutesbury Road,
Amherst, MA 01002
Thank you for your kind attention to this urgent and time sensitive request.
Susan Theberge, Climate Action Now
David Brule, Nolumbeka Project President

Via Rich Holsuch at Sokoki Sojourn

Where do blog visitors come from?

Since I get to look at the visitor logs, I can answer this question a bit.
 - Most readers are from MA
 - Next most are from states neighboring MA
 - Next most are from NY
 - Next most are from GA
 - Next most from Ontario
 - Next most are from MI
 - etc, and places around the world.

This inspires leaping to the conclusion that GA, MI, and Ontario are the places where the most rock piles occur - outside of New England. But, I seriously doubt that is correct. It is easier to believe that -for unexplained reasons- states south of NY and north of GA have fewer individuals out looking at rocks in the woods. Let's see...what do we know about those intermediate states?

I think this is one of the big (but resolvable) issues: why don't they find rock piles in -say- the hills of Carolina? Is their a "mid Atlantic cultural vacuum"? 

Protective Strategies for Ceremonial Stone Structures

Ezra Stiles Illustrations (Great Berrington “Monument of Stones”) 

   At the blog Sokoki Sojourn, my friend writes, “A short article by Lisa McLoughlin of the Nolumbeka Project, outlining a number of useful strategies to recognize and preserve existing Native stone assemblage sites. Ongoing land development and a general lack of public awareness, not to mention ignorance or dismissal, brings constant destructive pressure upon these ancient interactions of land and spirit.” He adds this quote from Lisa McLoughlin:

     “…I’d say that while many stone features have been destroyed, there are still thousands left. They are hiding in our back yards, in our state forests, along our waterways — everywhere in plain sight. Help others realize why they should be respectful of these when they find them, help them imagine what it might mean to have a religiously-important structure (e.g. something built to honor someone in your family) technically belong to someone else, or be at risk from vandals, pot-hunters, and developers. These stone structures are examples of how humans found a way to interact respectfully and in a mutually-beneficial way with nature. They are Natural Cultural nodes, blueprints for how we will need to think in the future if we are to survive and allow our natural world survive. They are important beyond the specific, and they should give us hope.”

Link to the article on No Fracked Gas in Mass.

Taken From:

https://sokokisojourn.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/protective-strategies-for-ceremonial-stone-structures/

Ways you can help stop destruction of the few Indian features left in Massachusetts

by Lisa McLoughlin of Nolumbeka Project

• preserve land for whatever reason — environmental preservation usually means that cultural resources are preserved on that land too. Support your local land trust.

• support Tribal efforts to protect their traditional cultural properties — protest projects that will bulldoze them, and make connections with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers if you have
found some stone structures that need protection (either through your historical commission, Nolumbeka Project, or similar group or reach out to them directly)

• influence the workings of your town, state, and national governments toward protection of cultural resources — introduce and enact laws that put in place protections and processes that require traditional cultural properties to be taken into account, that encourage smart development (or less development), that take a wholistic approach.

• learn about cultural resources and the governmental agencies that manage them — the writings of Thomas F. King are especially good at helping non-experts understand what’s at stake and how to go about protecting it: Saving Places that Matter, and the National Park Service Bulletin 38 are 2 good places to start.

• read history, especially local history, and collect stories from older people, hunters, and farmers (people close to the land) in your community — find out and document what was/is there so that if it is threatened you can speak to its importance. This applies to the land pre- and post- colonist—an important part of doing this work is setting the record straight and reclaiming the history of the first people before we came, and our interactions with them since. It will tell us a lot not just about them, but about us and issues we still have not resolved about how we treat others as a culture.

• talk to others about why these features matter.

Finally, I’d say that while many stone features have been destroyed, there are still thousands left. They are hiding in our back yards, in our state forests, along our waterways — everywhere in plain sight. Help others realize why they should be respectful of these when they find them, help them imagine what it might mean to have a religiously-important structure (e.g. something built to honor someone in your family) technically belong to someone else, or be at risk from vandals, pot-hunters, and developers. These stone structures are examples of how humans found a way to interact respectfully and in a mutually-beneficial way with nature. They are Natural Cultural nodes, blueprints for how we will need to think in the future if we are to survive and allow our natural world survive. They are important beyond the specific, and they should give us hope.

» Learn more about Ceremonial Stone Landscapes impacted by Kinder Morgan’s CT Expansion Pipeline path in Massachusetts

» Learn more about Nolumbeka Project

This entry was posted in Uncategorized on February 19, 2017 by Rosemary Wessel.

http://www.nofrackedgasinmass.org/2017/02/19/preserving-native-sites/