Prayer Seat or Fire Pit?

I recently came across an interesting stone structure during a hike, and I'm trying to determine whether it is a U-shaped stone structure (prayer seat) or a fire pit. This post is an example of how I make a determination of what I find in the woods. 

Above is the picture I took of the structure located in the Douglas State Forest in Massachusetts. It is alongside one of the many trails throughout this forest. The area is known to have other Native American stone structures located within it, including a stone chamber. 

I start by looking at the area, trying to determine what may have been here in the past, what the land was used for, and if there are any other structures. 

Let’s first look at the area the structure is in. It is within ten feet of the trail on top of a slight rise. The area is lightly wooded with young trees. Although it is not entirely covered with brush and rocks, I wouldn't consider it a prime camping ground. I do not believe that wilderness camping is allowed in the park. There is nothing about camping on the official website. This helps rule out a campfire ring. There is no evidence of fire in the structure. IN the 1930's, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) did have a camp in this forest and did work on making trails, huts, and some buildings, but this just doesn't have the CCC look to it. 

As seen in the photo above, the structure is U-shaped and built in a crown-like shape, with the tallest section directly opposite the open end. It reminds me of the Pope’s mitre. The structure is about four and a half feet high at its highest point, although I did not get an exact measurement. The opening is on the east side. This would mean if someone was standing or sitting with their back to the high wall, they would be facing east. 

There is a triangular-shaped stone lying on the ground in the center of the semicircle with the apex pointing towards the west. The structure is large enough for a person to stand or sit in. I have never seen a campfire ring built like this. I cannot think of a reason one would be built like this. 

There is a similar structure in the NEARA database with information locating it in the Douglas State 

Forest. While similar, the top is level all the way around. 

Could this be a Native American prayer seat? I will be doing a more detailed exploration soon. I would like to see if there are other possible stone structures in the immediate area. 

In Search of the Stone Chamber- Episode Four

I was ready. I had a plan. I had a camera. I had a LIDAR image. I was ready!

My plan was simple. Well almost. It all was contingent upon a tree, which may or may not be there, and if it was a Native American marker tree. If I found the tree using one of my mapping apps, I would draw a line from the tree to infinity in the direction the tree pointed me. Well, maybe not to infinity, but as far as I could walk without going through a swamp, unscalable stone outcrops, deep ravines, or private property. 

Indian Marker Tree

If I couldn’t find the tree, plan B was to perform a grid search. I learned that stone chambers were likely to be facing either east or west to align with various astronomical events. They were also likely to be on a slope, although not a steep one. From the picture, I knew it was on a slight slope. It also looks like there is a small mound over it. In other words, it wasn’t level with the surrounding landscape. You can also see it had a continuous slab for the roof.

Chamber from Transit picture

I also learned from the above-mentioned Transit article that the author followed an old trail that took him by the chamber. From my previous visit, I did recall one well-defined road going through the property, and possibly a second, less-used road. I couldn’t recall seeing any other trails in the area, but the article was written over 20 years ago, so it might only be a trace of what it was. 

View headed west from the marker tree.

I arrived at the site. The first thing was to find the marker tree. I knew from the picture it wasn’t far from the road. It also appeared to be on top of a small hill. I entered the site between two stone foundations on what was an old road. I climbed up the hill, looked around, and there was the marker tree. I looked at the picture, compared it to the real thing, and it was a perfect match. This was going to be easy. 

The cairn

The tree was pointed to the west. Along the line, I could see the cairn I had seen before. Using a compass, the cairn aligned with the tree. All I would need to do now was follow this line to the west, and I would run right into the chamber. 

Stone prayer

Nope. I walked to the cairn, but it wasn’t between it and the tree. I continued west. There was a stone wall at the bottom of the hill. On the other side of the wall was a wetland. I went about 100 feet, and it then became impassable. Mud and thorns were the order of the day. I knew from the picture I had of the chamber that it was on dry and relatively clean land. 

Stone row effigy?

Turning around, I headed back east, sure I must have missed it. I hadn’t, it wasn’t there. I began walking in a zigzag pattern, but to no avail. Back at the tree, I did notice what might have been a faint trail. This trail also went in a westerly direction, although not along a direct line from the tree. This trail ended at the paved road next to the wall where I had been earlier. There was no sign of a chamber. 

Collapsed chamber?

I wondered if the chamber had collapsed or been covered by debris. I found one small pile of rocks, interestingly enough, between the tree and the cairn. There was an opening facing west, but it wasn’t very big. It didn’t look like the picture. I shined a light into it (congratulating myself on remembering to bring it), but the inside did not look like a chamber. I didn’t move the stones or disturb them in any way, but I weighed the pros and cons as to whether this could be it. As I write this, I don’t believe it is. 

Inside the collapsed chamber

I spent the next several hours exploring more of the area. I found at least thirty different stone structures. There is also a network of stone walls/rows, several with niches in them, and some with architectural elements. Some of the rows could have been effigies as well. 

Possible niche in stone row

Although I was unable to find the stone chamber, I found plenty of other stone structures, which led me to believe this is a Native American Ceremonial Stone Landscape. I will follow up with more posts on some of the over thirty stone structures I have found. And, who knows, maybe someone who reads this will know where this stone chamber is, and I will document that as well.

Feel free to comment or email me at thewaywardwalker@gmail.com.