Stone Chambers of New England
The New England states, a region steeped in history and natural beauty, are renowned for their iconic stone walls that crisscross the landscape. These walls, estimated to stretch for hundreds of thousands of miles, stand as silent witnesses to centuries of human activity. However, beyond these ubiquitous stone walls, a more enigmatic feature dots the New England countryside: the mysterious stone chambers.
These unique structures, also known by various names such as huts, caves, beehives, dolmens, and root cellars, have captivated the curiosity of researchers, historians, and the general public for decades. Their age, origins, and purpose remain shrouded in mystery, fueling ongoing debates and sparking diverse theories.
Defining the Stone Chambers
Approximately 800 stone chambers are scattered throughout the New England states. These chambers are characterized by a distinctive design and form not found elsewhere in North America. Generally, they exhibit circular and rectangular shapes, ranging from 15 to 30 feet in length, about 10 feet in width, and featuring a central chamber reaching up to 10 feet in height.
Some of the more elaborate structures, often referred to as "beehive" chambers, are constructed in a conical shape. These structures sometimes incorporate smoke holes for ventilation, as well as shelves and benches built into the walls. While some chambers stand freely, the best-preserved examples are typically built into hillsides.
A hallmark of these chambers is their expert construction, utilizing fitted masonry stone and capped with megalithic slabs. Furthermore, surrounding these chambers, one often finds cairns, standing stones, enclosures, ceremonial walls, pedestal boulders, and balanced rocks, adding to the mystique of these ancient sites.
Although the structures share common features, their construction details vary considerably. These chambers differ significantly from other colonial structures, including stone burial vaults, charcoal and lime kilns, potash burners, and iron furnaces, further suggesting a unique and distinct purpose.
Geographic Distribution
These enigmatic chambers have been discovered not only in the New England states but also in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Their widespread distribution raises questions about the cultural connections and historical events that may have led to their construction.
Competing Theories of Origin
The origins of the stone chambers are a subject of intense debate, with two primary theories vying for acceptance: the historic origin theory and the ancient origin theory.
The historic origin theory posits that the chambers were built by early colonists for practical purposes, such as root cellars, settlers’ quarters, smokehouses, shepherds’ shelters, animal pens, whiskey storage facilities, and hunting or trapping enclosures. However, this explanation faces several challenges. Early records of New England colonists mention the existence of stone chambers before their arrival, describing them as strange "Indian forts." Additionally, the age of some chambers has been authenticated by trees that predate settlement. Furthermore, the passageways in some chambers are too low and narrow to accommodate carts, and the soil floors would have been unsuitable for storing vegetables.
The ancient origin theory proposes that some of the chambers are far older, possibly constructed by European travelers during the Bronze Age. This theory gained momentum after Professor Barry Fell, a retired marine biologist from Harvard University, examined several sites in Vermont in the 1970s. Fell claimed to have identified inscriptions in an early form of Ogam script, dating from 1000 B.C. to 300 B.C., carved in stone by "Celts from the Iberian Peninsula."
Fell believed that the megalithic chambers were built by Celts who welcomed Phoenician mariners from the Mediterranean Sea. He further asserted that these structures, located along rivers in secluded valleys and on hilltops, served as temples erected by priests (or Druids). Proponents of the ancient European settlement theory also point to the presence of stone circles, carved deities and animal figures, symbolic markings, Celtic place names, cairns, and chamber features that align with the sunset and sunrise during solar solstices and equinoxes. The beehive-shaped stone chambers also bear a striking resemblance to ancient chambers built by monks in Ireland.
Challenges to the Ancient Origin Theory
Despite the intriguing evidence presented by proponents of the ancient origin theory, it has faced considerable skepticism from mainstream archaeologists. Fell’s background as a marine biologist, rather than an archaeologist, and his pursuit of alternative history led to immediate controversy. Critics argue that no conclusive evidence supports the presence of pre-Columbian European settlements in New England.
The Native American Connection
While the colonial root cellar theory is widely accepted, it fails to account for the complex construction and astronomical alignments observed in some chambers. Furthermore, the lack of archaeological or ethnological evidence that prehistoric or historically known Indian groups undertook the level of stone construction represented by the stone chambers casts doubt on the Native American origin theory. Additionally, Native Americans in the area typically limited their use of upland areas, where most chambers are located, to hunting and short-term activities, preferring to live more permanently near rivers or lakes.
However, some researchers adamantly disagree, believing that the stone chambers were, in fact, built by American Indians or their ancient ancestors who inhabited New England before the arrival of the first Europeans. They argue that indigenous groups from other parts of America, such as the Adena and Mississippian cultures, were known to have created entire cities and ceremonial centers with stone and dirt.
In the summer of 1974, Byron Dix discovered what he believed to be ancient Native American ritual sites in Vermont. Later, he and James Mavor led a seven-year investigation into stone sites in New England. Together, they researched and interpreted New England’s stone structures, publishing their findings in the book Manitou in 1889. The book’s general conclusion is that shamanism, vision-seeking, and careful solar and stellar observations were central motifs in the cultural beliefs of the natives who built the chambers.
The Nolumbeka Project, based in Greenfield, Massachusetts, is another organization that supports the Native American origin theory. This group, comprised of volunteers active for more than 40 years in preservation and historical research, aims to promote a deeper, more accurate depiction of Native American history in New England and protect sacred sites.
Notable Stone Chamber Sites
Several stone chamber sites in New England have garnered particular attention:
- America’s Stonehenge, Salem, New Hampshire: This 30-acre site features standing stones, stone walls, cairns, natural caves, rock circles, and stone chambers.
- Gungywamp, Groton, Connecticut: This archaeological site includes stone chambers, a stone circle, and artifacts dating back to 2000-770 B.C.
- Upton Chamber, Upton, Massachusetts: This is one of the largest and most precisely built beehive chambers in New England.
- Calendar II, South Woodstock, Vermont: This chamber aligns with the winter solstice sunrise.
- Queen’s Fort, Exeter, Rhode Island: This legendary Indian fortification is associated with a Narragansett sachem named Queen Quaiapen.
The Enduring Mystery
Despite ongoing research and debate, the true origins and purpose of the stone chambers of New England remain a mystery. Whether they were built by early colonists, ancient Europeans, or Native Americans, these enigmatic structures stand as a testament to the rich and complex history of the region.
Sources
- Mavor, James W., Jr., and Byron, E. Dix, Manitou – The Sacred Landscape of New England’s Native Civilization, Inner Traditions International, 1989.
- New England Historical Society
- Nolumbeka Project
- Perceptive Travel
- Stone Structures
- Vermont Historical Society