A New Interpretation of the Queen's Fort; Exeter, RI
A Field Report by Frederick F. Meli
Posted 23 January 2007
New England Antiquities Research Association
A New Interpretation of the Queen's Fort; Exeter, RI
A Field Report by Frederick F. MeliPosted 23 January 2007
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Introduction:
The Queen’s Fort is located deep in the woods along Stony Lane in Exeter RI and has for many years been viewed as part of the Narragansett stone fort system and associated with the King Philip Wars. After several visits to the site there was little visual evidence that establishes this site as a defensive fort. However, after numerous pedestrian surveys of the property there did seem to be something more, present in the long stone rows, piles, and the circle of stones: a possible great spiritual center. The question that arose was could this site have had spiritual importance long before the Europeans landed on this continent? If so its association with the Stony Forts and the King Philip Wars was an erroneous one, thus, the site’s actual purpose needs to be ascertained, documented, and recorded.
The Queen’s Fort property was deeded to the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1931, a bequest of Marsden Perry, an industrialist and financer associated with the Industrial National Bank of Rhode Island. (Deed located in the Exeter Town Property Book 23, page 504 and the Exeter Town lot map book, map M13, boundaries: Stony Lane, Narrow Lane, and Lantern Lane.)
The Site:
The Queen’s Fort site lies along a small hill, heavily studded with large and smaller glacial boulders, which in themselves, would make a less that suitable defensive position. The stone row structures are some 243.84 meters from Stony Lane, and sit atop and to the east of Stony Lane. A single dirt road is the only access to the site area. The access road is a small dirt lane that travels 505-meters and ends at a small boulder field. Just off Stony Lane and 30 meters from the paved road is a washed out dirt path that goes up a small summit and ends at a clearing just to the north of the "Fort." Below this clearing is a valley with multiple glacial boulders and stone piles. Above the valley and northwest of the valley is a small circle of stones and stone row known as the "Queen’s Fort southeast bastion." It seems obvious that these stones and piles known as the southeast bastion would be a rather weak defensive position. The overall area of the “fort” is in some places too small and in many areas the stones are not set up to act as a suitable defensive structure. The outer stone piles are so far from the central structure that it would be impossible to relay advance warning to the defenders up above the rows.
The standard defensive/fort interpretation of the structures seems to overlook the facts that a force attacking from the north could scale the smaller western summit and could sit atop that adjacent summit and rain fire down on the “fort” without an obstruction of their view.
Field Observations:
The investigation began with a visit to the site with my students; we walked the entire area, some 64 acres, and thus, began a dialogue as to the best way to investigate and survey the site. We devised a system: we would first survey the actual land in the Perry deed, 64.34 acres. Secondly we surveyed the area of the megalithic structures, and all stone plies and rows, which proved to be 16 acres in total. Third we would make an exact graphic mapping of all the stones in the complex, all smaller maps would be recorded on a master map.
We had to set-up a criterion of levels of importance of the stones and piles to determine the possible construction sequence. The processes developed out a necessity to better affix a criterion on each type of stone structure, and then record the structure accordingly.
Setting-up criterion levels
Criterion:
● Long stone rows: by highest point, number of stones in the row, composition of the stones there measured fixed point according to the grid they were located in.
● Stone piles: i.e. stacked, piled, size, and composition, fixed point in the grid.
● Stone structures: i.e. spiral, circle, stacked circle, position in the grid plus size shape and composition.
● Condition of the stone rows, piles and structures, through visual documentation.
● Global Positioning System points of Longitude and Latitude plus elevation.
● Contribution stones: any and all stones or rocks that are not indigenous to the area, typed and catalogued.
We began by using the stone circle up on the complex plateau as our fixed central point. We established this stone structure as the central fixed point of our investigation; this long semi flat stone became our starting point. The group then began to survey and layout areas, 30-meter square. Each area had four 15-meter sections divided again into 7-meter grids. Each gird would be measured and every individual stone would also be measured and the distance from the north point the center point or center stone recorded. Then each stone would be drawn in detail as to its position in the grid, always moving in concentric circles from the north point. Thus, we would then have a complete record of all the stones, i.e. piles, rows and larger Manitou markers.
Personal Observations:
After spending weeks in and around the site one begins to see things in a different way, first the overwhelming piles of stones and larger boulders became more familiar, and one can see beyond the boundaries set-up by recorded historical conventions.
The rows began to look less like a means to keep people out and more like a way of signifying a sacred space, a way to limit access and direct the visitor within the larger complex, much like the walls and circles of the Hopewell, Mississippian and Freemont Peoples. (Meli 1997)
The varying reports and descriptions of the site did more to cloud the issue of the complex’s purpose and its origins than to clarify any of the questions concerning an interpretation. Becoming aware of the terrain and being at the site for weeks at a time, one will note two interesting details that had not been previously stated or documented.
The most intriguing aspect of the complex seems to be the multiple rows and plies and their function. Thus, a closer look was needed beyond the graphic mapping and surveying to establish a conclusive interpretation. The site could have served a ceremonial purpose, the row stone structures that have been viewed as a fortification could have functioned as a symbolic circle that enclosed a sacred complex, and the small areas called bastions may have signified the four directions.
The rows along the south section of the complex are greatly disrupted and at some places are almost not visible. However with a careful eye and resolve one will see the signs of lines of stones that create a circle. Also aspects of the complex that are right below one’s feet suddenly began to emerge. Inside the 64 acre wooded landscape there are many piles and markers that are not in the 16-acre complex proper.
The Queen’s Fort: North 41° 35”. 33 X West 71° 31”. 19
Section is from the Slocum Quadrangle, National Geological Services (2004)
Maptech Inc. 7.5-minutes Series
Click map for larger image
There is a long low stone row that starts 130.74 meters from the complex due south just below the larger drumlin (see Topo map above), it is only visible in the winter when there is no tree covering. (See Pictures 1 & 2)
Pictures 1& 2: Stone Row
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It is visible from the top of the complex and lines up with a large split boulder, and that line travels north. At the top of the plateau 30 meters from the center point circle in the east, is a stone. The stone is low and sits in a direct line from the 130-meter row. In addition it was discovered that the stone has an arrow worn into the surface. (See Pictures 3A & 3B) The stone itself is fashioned to resemble as an arrow in reverse. The stone shows multiple signs of stone tool work, with a large segment of the stone having been pecked, and then removed.
Picture 3A & 3B: Arrow Stone, and close up of Arrow Stone
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The edge of this stone facing the west is exactly at 237 degrees and is directly in line with a large Solstice stone at the end of a stone row that runs from the circle towards the south. (See Pictures 4 & 5)
Picture 4 & 5: Sightline west west 2370 degrees to large Solstice stone
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That Solstice stone has a man made notch in its east side and it aligns with the arrow stone. Thus, the winter solstice is recorded, and a north south line is also recorded. (See Picture 6)
Picture 6: Solstice stone
Looking east from the arrow stone, there is second angle cut into the stone pointing to the east south/east.
Again referring to the local historic reports and NEARA site sheets nothing was found that would give meaning to this heading. The investigation then headed in a search for a possible structure - that structure could be the “Queen’s Chamber.” Looking along the east alignment of the arrow stone several small chambers can be found, they all seem natural, but to the south and just east of the 130-meter north/south row is the actual chamber, we refer to as the Solstice Chamber.
The Solstice Chamber, below and south east of the “fort” has a small opening beneath a huge pile of boulders; the entrance to the chamber is not visible until one gets within about two feet from the opening. (See Picture 7)
Picture 7: Opening of Solstice Chamber
A small cavity can be found below this large pile of boulders, which corresponds to the historical description. Years of silt and mulch have filled in the area below the large boulder, but a small person can fit down into the space. (See Picture 8)
Picture 8: Opening of Solstice Chamber, close-up
Directly outside that chamber and southwest of the chamber entrance is a large triangular stone that is aligned with a large flat stone and intersects with the line from the 130-meter north/south row. This marker aligns with the split stone and the large Solstice Stone at the end of the stone row that begins at the plateau circle and runs southeast.
The Solstice Stone at the end of the southeast row running from the circle is itself aligned with another large boulder some 13-meters to the west. The stone in question is just beyond a small circular pile of stones and when looking at it from the west towards the east one sees an animal head, (a snake or turtle). (See Picture 9 )
Picture 9: Rock has resemblance to an animal head
Click for larger image
All the alignments are set so that all activities both corporal as well as terrestrial are aligned along the axis of the center stone the Solstice Stone, the arrow stone and the animal head stone, and the 130-meter north/south row.
A New Interpretation:
TThe ceremonial aspects of this site have been all but looked over in preference of an interpretation of the site as a military defensive position. This area of Exeter, Rhode Island and the complex proper is a peaceful locale, and is so secluded and deep in a glacial boulder field that it would be impossible to supply this site if it were a defensive position. A Line of supply, especially water, is at least 550-meters from the center of the site, (Ruben Brown Brook) and there is no evidence that there were any grain cribs that would have served as stored food to feed one hundred or even 50 individuals in the winter if the site was a fort during the King Philip's War. The overall terrain would make a defensive action for occupants all but impossible. Also, the stonework of the complex would have had to be extant at the time of the Indian Wars of 1670, as it would be an impossible feat to construct such a complex while engaged in a war.
Conversely, we must consider the historical association of the site with the Indian Wars, as suspect and reconsider and investigate this site as a possible megalithic ceremonial complex. Therefore, an on going examining of the varied stone structures and stone piles and rows must continue in that way we may establish the site as having a possible cosmological design that served the Narragansett’s as well as other Native American populations.
Conclusion:
In conclusion we believe that at some point in the future, there should be an archaeological excavation of the Solstice Chamber, below the “Fort,” carried out with the permission of the Narragansett Indian Tribe and the Rhode Island Historical and Preservation Commission to determine the actual construction and occupation dates of this site. We must continue to record and map the complex and also attempt to determine the Solstice alignments historically, to ascertain a possible construction and occupation period.
References:
Arnold, James RIHS Collections # 2 (1932)
Drake Oliver, Old Indian Chronicles (1836)
Haley John the Old Stone Bank History of Rhode Island, (1931)
Hutchinson Richard, Farther Account of the Indian Warr (1676) Reprinted in (1869)
Kent, Willard Sketch of the present condition of the Queen’s Fort, Collection of RIHS (1896): Maps are in the Collection of the Historical Library, Providence RI.
Meli Frederick F, Mound Builders Project Notes (1997),
University of Massachusetts at Amherst: Graduate student publication.
NEARA Site Sheets: J Dodge, John Ludovina and Charles Tooker, Andrew E. Rothovius
Potter Elisha: the Early History of the Narragansett’s. (1835)
Rider, Sidney S, the Lands of Rhode Island as the Great Sachems Knew Them (1904)
Rhode Island Historical Society Collection #’s 3, 4, 16, 24, (1923 1931, 32,)
Walling Map 1834, Rhode Island Historical Society Collection (1834)
Credits:
Article and photos are the intellectual property of Frederick F. Meli, copyright © 2006
Images were taken with Canon Powershot A520 Digital Camera.
Map is a Topographic section of the Slocum Quadrangle, 2004.
Copyright © 2006 by Frederick F. Meli
New England Antiquities Research Association
