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STONEWATCH NEWSLETTER of the GUNGYWAMP SOCIETY P.O. Box 592, Colchester, CT 06415-0592 Written & Edited by the Board Members of the Gungywamp Society Vol. 25 ISSN 0892-1741 2008
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2007-2008 Excavations in the Gungywamp
By Paulette Buchanan
For years, whenever we have given tours throughout the Gungywamp, we have passed by a small ledge area in the northwest section that has stood out as a very likely spot for another Indian site. It is only about 15 feet off the path and it is smaller than our more "famous" Indian ledge site pictured below, which is roughly 200 yards away from the smaller ledge.
Indian Ledge Shelter. Photo by Steve Hart (Fall 2004)
After years of passing by the smaller ledge site and taking a mental note of "we've gotta dig there sometime to see if anything can be found," we finally organized an excavation last year and hit gold (well, so to speak).
As seen below, we opened up two excavation squares, 3 x 3 feet each. There was a number of small rocks dug up which had broken off from the ledge roof above or washed down from the sloping hillside on either side of the small ledge. There was also one large boulder which had to be removed.
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Photos by Scott Buchanan
The sifter was just about ready to be dumped when a small white quartz Indian point (arrowhead) was found, measuring just over an inch in length. The point had come out of Pit 2, at a depth of 4 inches. This was the evidence we needed to confirm that this smaller ledge demonstrated an Indian presence in or around this site. The presence of the small white quartz point could indicate that the ledge was used by Indians as a hunt site and shelter. The quartz point could have been purposely discarded or accidentally left behind. Or, the quartz point could have originated from a wounded small game animal (such as a squirrel, raccoon, or opossum) that had been shot by an Indian but had escaped capture and sought shelter in the ledge. If an animal had been wounded by the quartz point it could have either chewed away its flesh to dislodge the point (if the point was not deeply imbedded in the animal), or the wounded animal could have died in the ledge with the point imbedded in its body.
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Photos by Scott Buchanan
Several bits of charcoal were also found, but because of the history of fires in the Gungywamp, these bits of charcoal could have originated from root burn. Consequently there will not be any carbon dating of the charcoal since there is no way to indicate if they originated by campfire or by forest fire.
Connecticut State Archaeologist Nick Bellantoni has been updated on our work and discoveries at this new site of excavation in the Gungywamp. The Gungywamp Society will continue its excavation at this ledge site throughout 2008 and most likely into 2009. Anyone interested in participating in or observing this dig can contact the Gungywamp Society at P.O. 592, Colchester, CT 06415.
To read, see, and hear the tour that Gungywamp Society researcher Bill Dopirak gave to Catie Talarski of Connecticut Public Broadcasting, published February 29, 2008, click here: http://www.cpbn.org/gungy-what
Regional
Stone Structures:
Goblin mines of Chatham, a Stone Tunnel, and the Hopemead Chamber
William J. Dopirak, Jr.
Assistant Professor of Natural Science
Three
Cobalt mine: Cobalt, CT
In an
American Mineralogist article, published in 1921, Earl V. Shannon mentions that
this mine is one of the many diverse types of metal deposits in New
England. Nickel, iron, sulfur, zinc,
cobalt, chathamite, and gold were reportedly extracted from this mine. Three
German immigrants opened the mine in the mid-1700's and shipped most of the
ore to England and China.
Referred to as "The Goblin mines of Chatham, Connecticut," this productive mine was in operation from 1762 to 1850. When cobalt is extracted from this ore, through smelting processes, it creates an 'evil odor.' The name 'Cobalt' derived from the German word 'Kobold.' This word appears in German Folklore. Kobold was an evil sprite (apparently where goblins and gremlins originate from). German miners saw this ore as troublesome and worthless, until its uses were fully known.
In 1780,
the element Cobalt was recognized as Co = #27. Cobalt ore is coupled often with sulfides and arsenides (arsenic
derivatives). This 'Kolbold ore' was
first used to color pottery and glass. Low grade ore was also found to counteract the yellowing of laundry
(Trapp 2001). Cobalt sulphate today is
used in electroplating, in batteries (Hayashi et al. 2003), and as a drying agent in
'fast-dry' paints and
varnishes.
a)
b)
Images: Bill Dopirak
Fig. 1. Abandoned mine, extending over 120 feet; a) looking in, b) looking out.
There are (at least) three vertical mine shafts within the complex (Fig. 2.). Two of which apparently were directly associated to the mine that exploited a large deposit (vein) of cobalt.
Image: Bill Dopirak
Fig. 2. One of a few abandoned mine shafts of Cobalt Mine.
All vertical shafts have been fenced
in.
The vertical mine shafts (above) are adjacent to stone channels, or aisles, to accept mining carts and wooden scaffoldings (Fig. 3). Flanking the ruins of the stone aisles is a large stone wall that is embedded at the top of three tiers (Fig. 4).
Image: Bill Dopirak
Fig. 3. Cobalt Mine ruins. Stone aisles would accept miner carts.
Image: Bill Dopirak
Fig. 4.
The ruins of a mine that had exploited a vein of cobalt
ore.
