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.