“Time is a flowing river.” Hal Borland

Oh the wonders to be found.

On shelves, books, guides to more learning, finding, sharing. Not all is online. In state forests, trails and places others have mentioned in field trips. Let's go.

Icy fangs, groundwater seeps. Some icicles moving with the wind.

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— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) January 5, 2025 at 10:32 AM

A new book can be your guide, a conversation with legs, so to speak. Reading engages mind, body, spirit and may propel a person out and about. As a writer fueled by curiosity, go and find out is a way of life. (What a great time to be alive.)

This is one that is quite special because of the combined experiences and knowledge of each author.

“During our careers, we have spent a lot of time hiking wooded areas and identifying archaeological sites often comprised of stone ruins throughout southern New England. Yet, we hadn’t seen all that these states offer for the interested hiker. As a result, we are indebted to experienced trekkers throughout the region who have come upon stone ruins in their journeys and have assisted us in compiling this book.”

Hiking Ruins of Southern New England: A Guide to 40 Sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island by Nick Bellantoni and Barbara Ann Kipfer (Falcon Guides 2024).

“A stone foundation is built into the side of the hill on the right side. Note the iron pin drilled into the bedrock that adjoins the stone wall. This is most likely the remnants of a barn structure.”

“Another stone ruin appears on your left—a three-sided foundation that may have been another barn and most likely part of the Richard Case or Daniel Beers farms.

(How was this book ever overlooked by an avid reader/walker/hiker/rider (me) when first published in 2024?)

Clear, with many beautiful images, detailed directions, maps. Stories or barns, mills, factories, villages. Bridges and ruins of a clock tower.

Just so much to marvel at and with a companion, explore, discuss, wonder about. Indigenous history, geology, tidbits along the way.

“On the other side of the road from this stone ruin is the site of ‘Indian Rock,' or ‘Indian Council Caves.' There are no documentary sources for the name, though it may have been the site of a Native American settlement. Though unsubstantiated, it may explain why English settlers did not establish Caseville until the 1800s.

“And, of course, Indian Council Caves is not a cave, but rather a glacial erratic deposited by the receding ice, scouring the bedrock, breaking off and tumbling rock. Hence, the ‘caves' are simply a maze of large, toppled boulders.”

Found in the new books nonfiction section at Russell Library, Middletown. By the way, did you know your Connecticut library card works at libraries across the state? (Some may require the user to provide information and verify current address.) And what libraries can reveal about their community–each is different.

“”Cat Den Quarry. These may indicate the presence of a larger burying ground, incorporating Native American and African American traditions.”

Oh, this book covers three states, too. Here's one on the must-see list:

“American industrialized pencil manufacturing came of age in the early 1800s and was a recognized specialty in the Concord, MA, region. Among others, the family of Henry David Thoreau were pencil makers with the poet learning the trade from his father.

“Although the French were producing high-quality pencils earlier than the Americans, pencil-making in the Concord area received a boost in 1812 when David Munroe began mixing locally available plumbago (lead) with adhesives into grooves cut into cedar casings. One of Munroe’s employees was cabinetmaker Ebenezer Wood, who operated a two-man saw used to cut cedar slabs. Wood’s inventiveness helped mechanize and increase pencil production in Munroe’s mill, hence making the latter a very rich man.

“Ebenezer Wood also produced a high-quality plumbago ground on millstones powered by the waters of Nashoba Brook. Other area pencil factories preferred Wood’s lead for their quality graphite. So, when you use a modern pencil with their hexagonal and octagonal shapes, think of and credit Ebenezer Wood, for he constructed that casing type—a 19th-century achievement that has never needed improvement.

“As you cross Nashoba Brook, be on the lookout for clustered stone mounds on hilly terraces. These ‘stone piles' have been interpreted as sacred ceremonial landscapes constructed and used by local Native Americans for thousands of years. Each of these stone clusters (Princess Pine, Plaintain, and Blueberry) are said to have their own individual arrangements signifying ceremonial meaning, such as memorials, astronomical, and ritual centers. Kiosks at these specific areas provide Native American perspectives on the origin of the stone mounds.

“Many New England historical archaeologists have also interpreted these stone ruins as part of British American agricultural practices, such as stone wall building and the removal of stone from fields and pasture lands.Whatever the interpretation, these stone mounds are significant cultural resources, deserving preservation and respect, so please do not touch or climb on any of these stone features.

“Behind the ‘Plaintain Stone Piles' are the ruins of a large dwelling foundation with a deep cellar hole referred to as the ‘Pest House.' For such an extensive structure, it is interesting to note that there are no land deeds associating a house to this area. The land was held by an absentee landowner, Dr. Jonathan Davies, in the late 18th century, who lived and practiced medicine in Cambridge, MA.”

Appetite whetted yet? Page through intertwined archaeology, parks, preserves, land trust holdings–and human histories. Here's the bios of the authors (how fortunate readers are to have their combined knowledge shared. Let's all hope this is a first in a series.):

Nick Bellantoni, PhD, is emeritus Connecticut State Archaeologist and an adjunct associate research professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut. He served as state archaeologist with the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History at the University of Connecticut. He earned his BA in anthropology at the Central Connecticut State College in 1976 and his doctorate in anthropology from UConn in 1987, shortly thereafter appointed state archaeologist. He retired from that position in 2014.

Bellantoni is co-editor of In Remembrance: Archaeology and Death, and he has also contributed to journals such as the Journal of Forensic Science, Journal of Archaeological Science, and American Journal of Physical Anthropology. He most recently has authored The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriations of Henry ‘Opukaha’ia and Albert Afraid of Hawk and “And So the Tomb Remained”: Exploring Archaeology and Forensic Science within Connecticut’s Historical Family Mausolea. He has been excavating in Connecticut for 40 years.

Barbara Ann Kipfer, PHD, is the author of nearly 70 books, including: Hiking Is Fundamental (FalconGuides), Archaeologist’s Fieldwork Guide 2nd Edition, Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology Second Edition, 14,000 Things to Be Happy About, Natural Meditation, and 1,001 Ways to Live Wild.

Dr. Kipfer holds a PhD in archaeology (Greenwich University), BS in physical education (Valparaiso University), PhD and MPhil in linguistics (University of Exeter), and MA and PhD in Buddhist studies (Akamai University). She is a registered professional archaeologist. Visit her at https://www.thingstobehappy about.com.

Having hiked around the state and region, some mysteries are now cleared up due to this book.

On to a few places worth a mention. The first so noteworthy to visit, indoors–if near New London (small fee to tour):

You'll be pleasantly surprised at the holdings (including a gift shop) inside the Custom House.

Will also mention (for those who love learning, exploring and sharing, travel too): The Association for Industrial Archaeology “uniting individuals, local societies, academics and field professionals” to promote “Industrial Archaeology and Heritage both nationally and internationally.”

New England Chapters: Industrial Archeology (IA) is the “identification, interpretation, preservation, and utilization of historical industrial and engineering sites, structures and equipment. IA covers a wide range of topics including manufacturing (mills, machinery, etc.), basic materials (mining, quarrying, wood products, petroleum), power generation (electric, steam, hydro), transportation…”