Stone Chamber Tomb Once an "Indian Cave"?
Intriguing Stonework in New Hampshire
On a Fall Sunday (11/3/24) New Hampshire Stone Site Researcher Devon Toland led the way to this Family Receiving Tomb on private land in the Deerfield, New Hampshire area. He’d tracked down the location of this stone chamber based on old references and the recollections of locals, and secured permission from the current owners of the land to visit.
The construction style of this Stone Chamber and the many plug-and-feather split marks in the stones indicates that it’s likely 18-19th century western work. Devon's research, however, uncovered a local tradition that the later Tomb had been built out of what was originally an "Indian Cave" - an interesting wrinkle in its origin story.
Devon pointed out gaps in the more modern stonework behind which one can spy irregular shaped, perhaps older, stonework, including up above beyond the rectangular ceiling stones.
The lower, squared-off ceiling stones do not appear to be load-bearing — some even appear to be splitting as they sag. And some are now apparently held up by the pillars in the center of the tomb. In many ways, the newer stonework seems to function like a lining atop — or inside of — possibly older work.
From the front, remnants of a low stone wall curve away on both sides and head back up the hill into which the Stone Chamber is built. Atop the hill, they turn corners, head towards each other, and meet as a gateway up behind the tomb. We found a tall, apparently toppled corner piece lying on the ground in one of the corners.
A big Thank You, again, to New Hampshire’s Devon Toland, for guiding the way to cool sites & sights!
