Speculative Stonework: Split Rock & Split Tree on a Vermont Mountain

Ancient Human-Made Work? Or Mother Nature's Artistry?

Split-Stone Next to a Split-Tree on a Vermont Mountain. Photo by Mike Luoma.

Now is the time to get out to see stonework. The leaves have fallen but the snow is not yet flying. Some around here call this Stick Season — as Vermont singer-songwriter Noah Kahan made folks aware. I’ve come to think of it as “Stone Season”, though, as the seasonal shedding of the leaves from the trees and undergrowth in the woods and forests finally exposes stonework that was hiding behind lush green growth all summer.

We don’t get a long window for this in Vermont — you can’t see much stonework once the snow does begin to fly — and stick, and pile-up — which usually starts around December 15th. Almost like clockwork.

After that? There may be a January thaw. Sometimes March is hospitable, sometimes not. Even April can bring snow — I had to cancel a NEARA (New England Antiquities Research Association) Field Trip in early April this year due to snow. Winter and early Spring are unpredictable. Although, the Spring after a snowy winter melts off can be a great time to see stonework, the leaf cover having been tamped down by the weight of the snow. That’s my other favorite time to get out.

Just an aside, for safety’s sake — if you are going out this time of year, be aware that it’s also Hunting Season in many places. Find out what’s going on where you hike, and wear Blaze (or Fluorescent) Orange Vests, Hats and other gear if you’re going to be anywhere near any hunting. I wear mine all the time during Hunting Season out of an overabundance of caution, figuring that even if the trails I’m on are Posted for No Hunting, adjacent land might not be Posted. Better to err on the side of caution.

Mike Wearing a Blaze Orange Hat Even Outside of Hunting Season. Just in Case… Photo by Josh Smart in September of 2021, not far from the Split-Stone.

As you might imagine, I’m currently trying to get out and see what I can, when I can. And lamenting that I can’t do more. Revisiting places to which I’ve wanted to return, and scouting out newly discovered public trails and spaces where I might spy old stonework, based on their locations, surroundings or LIDAR map imagery.

Now is the time to take the photos, shoot the videos, and gather the information in the field. Though I’m still writing a bit and making some videos, there will be lots more time for writing and video creation later, once the snow flies.

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I have managed to get a little work out. You might have seen the pieces on America’s Stonehenge, for example (Part One, Part Two, Part Three). I’ve also just posted a new Ancient Stone Mysteries of New England — Feature Focus on The Oracle Chamber and The Sacrificial Table at America’s Stonehenge on YouTube:

America’s Stonehenge was my first site visit this Fall, the first of the Field Trips I went on during the 2024 NEARA Fall Conference at the start of November. I’d visit three more stone sites on Sunday’s Field Trip with NEARA New Hampshire State Coordinator Devon Toland, including a Receiving Tomb Stone Chamber:

Stone Chamber Tomb Once an "Indian Cave"?

Which also got a Feature Focus:

I’m not really trying to “keep up”, however. Haven’t done much, yet, with the other two New Hampshire Sunday site visits, which featured impressive, large stone assemblages and a modified rock shelter. They deserve some serious coverage and videos. I’d like to do a full “Experiencing” video for America’s Stonehenge, as well.

Also visited three more sites in Vermont in the two weeks since. Two of those were fresh scouting visits and didn’t turn up any easily shareable stonework, but the results might be worth combining into a video with a few “is this anything(s)?”

The third Vermont visit was a return trip to a favorite site where I’ve shot a great deal of footage and photos in the last few years. Not yet sure what I’ll be doing with the new gatherings, though I will share some here for subscribers.

Made an “Experiencing…” video about the place back in 2021, and have shared isolated video and pictures of a handful of stone features from follow-up visits, but… I haven’t yet put any of my follow-up work together in a substantial way. Much of what I’m thinking about the site is highly speculative, and may not be provable in any substantial way. So, I don’t know when I’ll put more together for the General Public. But I do know now is not the time.

The Split-Rock and Split-Tree were found at this third site.

My ideas and hypotheses about this entire site are indeed speculative — as calling this Split-Rock feature “Stonework” might suggest. Though this speculation might not be ready for the General Public’s consumption just yet, I’m pretty sure my subscribers can read it in the spirit in which it’s given. So… this is where the paywall comes in. Paid subscribers really do support my writing and research — and get to share in it as it’s ongoing. I’m including more photos and a video below to show you more of this feature.

Free subscribers are awesome, too! My hope is that you’re getting enough quality, educational, free stuff to make it worth your while. And enough to take a little of the sting out of hitting the paywall at times like these.

A Split-Stone Next to a Split-Tree. How Curious… Photo by Mike Luoma.