Ancient Vermont; Megaliths and Astronomers

Over sixty stone chambers are scatterd over the landscape of Vermont, most of them on a north/south line at about 72.5 degrees latitude. Practically all of them can be shown to have an astronomical function. The chamber at what is called Calendar II is focused on a hilltop two to three miles away over which rises the winter solstice sun. The sun lights up the back wall of the chamber, then forms an arrow of light that follows the wall and floor line until just after noon when it lights up a vulva-form carving in the bottom of the doorway.

However, the true purpose of the chamber was not to plot the sun, but to track the 18.61 year cycle of the moon. The chamber is constructed in such a fashion that the sight lines from each corner to the doorway delineate the maximum and minimum summer rise positions of the moon, thus allowing eclipse prediction.

Winter Solstice Sunrise

Maximum Southerly Moon Rise

Minimum Southerly Moon Rise

Features of the Calendar II site

The chamber, the platrform and stones marking astronomical alignments

Fomalhaut Rising over Mt. Ascutney

The helical rise of Fomalhaut preceeded the Summer Solstice around 450 AD

Geometry Stone

Located at a point exactly 3/5ths of the way from the "elbow stone" at the junction of the two walls at 103 degrees or twice the pyramid angle of 51.5 degrees, the lines are divided in golden proportions and golden triangles.

Phi Proportions and Golden Triangles

A tracing was made of the inscribed stone tro reveal an ancient geometry lesson

Elbow Stone

At the juncture of two walls at an angle of 103 degrees, twice the angle of a pyramid triangle.

Yoni Stone

This once had two phallic stones standing on either side.

Phallic Stone

One of two beside the Yoni Stone

Female Torso

Removed from Phallus Hill adjacent to the Calendar II site.

Mabo Mabona Inscription

Youth of Youths

Winter Solstice Sunrise

Less than half a mile from the Calendar II Chamber which looks out over a level horizon, this small chamber also aligns to the winter solstice sunrise but in a narrow valley. Rising in this notch might have allowed fine tuning of the date.

Tanith Chamber

Less than a mile from the Calendar II site is this south-facing chamber with a winged goddess inscribed on the ceiling. It is accompanied by an inscribed phallus and an inscription to the sun god Bel.

Iargalon Inscription

Found on top of the Tanith Chamber

USGS Map

Winged Goddess and Child found in the Landscape

Camber Placed in the Crotch of the Goddess Figure

Venus Setting at its Most Southerly Declination as Seen from the Chamber

Eye of Bel

Placed on the hilltop above the chamber it looks to the Equinox Sunset

Inscribed Bedrock

A large section of bedrock inscribed with Ogam and a sun grid.

Summer Solstice Sunrise over the Beak of the Winged Bird Goddess

The hilltop slopes down and catches the rising Equinox sun. The sun climbs the hill over the following months as visible from this stone located at the mouth of the infant, thus "feeding" it over the summer months. This is the limit of the sun's journey, then it begins its downward climb to the Fall Equinox.

Lion Stone on top of High Hill near the Summer Slostice Stone

This Lion and another cat-like stone look across a valley to a notch where the Big Dipper stands on end at the Winter Solstice

The Big Dipper

One wall on the hilltop with the lion and cat stones points to the place where the Big Dipper stands on end at the Winter Solstice.

Bear Effigy

Four stones symbolizing the quarter days in the calendar are placed in a long wall otherwise composed of quartz. The bear represents Imbolc which occurs at the midpoint of Aquarius.

Lion Effigies

Lions represent Lugnasadh which occurs at the midpoint of Leo.

Large Standing Stone

Many standing stones have been erected, some small and some larger, but there are a few of very large proportions such as this ten foot tall stone. The land owner tried to pull it down with a tractor but failed.

Sleeping Goddess

While Manitou stones (roughly resembling a torso with a neck) the area inside the giant Goddess figure abounds in female effigy figures.

Hand of the Goddess

Many goddess effigies are accompanied by hand-shaped stones.

Inscribed Stone on Equinox Platform

The rising sun on the Equinox shines through the autumn leaves coloring this stone.

Sun Grid

Inscribed in a stone pointing due south, this grid on the east side could be used as a rough indicator of the time of year by holding a stick above the grid at noon and seeing where the shadow fell.

Phallus In front of the Chamber

This phallus is lit by the sun only after the beginning of May.

Monolith

This one of the stones set on the hilltop marking the Lugnasadh sunset.

Standing Stone

Another large standing stone on the hilltop above the chamber.

Fomalhaut Setting after Sunset a Week befor the winter solstice.

The helical set announces rhe coming winter solstice about 450 AD.

Unique L-shaped Chamber

The L-shape delineates the maximum moon rise position.

Maximum Moon Rise

The diagonal of the chamber looks to the hilltop above the Calendar I site.

Winter Solstice Sunset Chamber

Most chambers look at a more or less level horizon, but this sits in the shadow of a mountain over 17 degrees in elevation where the sun sets shortly after noon on the winter solstice.

Last Flash of Winter Solstice Sun Set

The chamber lintel is carved to match the contour of the mountain top so that the last flah of the setting sun is squeezed between the two.

The Button Chamber Aligned to Equal Day and Equal Night

On the equinox, when the sun stands on the equator, the days and nights are not of equal length. That occurs about three days after the Atumnal Equinox and three days before the Vernal Equinox.

Highest Chamber

A six-ounce chunk of cinnabar was found at this chamber.

Becrux, the Second Brightest Star in the Southern Cross.

Round Chamber Facing North

This fully corbled round chamber shows unexpected astronomical alignments.

Summer Solstice Sunset

The sightline across the left side of the entry goes to this hilltop where the summer solstice sun sets.

Another Chamber Close to Calendar I.

Fomalhaut as Seen Setting from the Chamber

Plan of the Chamber

The diagonals mark the quarterdays.

Manitou Stone with Bel Inscription

Sunrise on the Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice Sunrise is seen along the left diagonal of the chamber.

Rigel on the Horizon as Orion Comes into View

Rigel is seen rising along the right diagonal of the chamber 9 days before Lugnasadh about 200 AD, the sun 20º still below the horizon. Rigel would also have its acronyc rise about a month before the winter solstice after the sun had set 20º.

Imbolc and Samhain Sunrise from the Obelisk Chamber

The Southern Cross, not seen in Vermont in 2,000 years

The yellow star just setting in the center of the picture is the top of the Southern Cross, not seen in Northern latitudes for 2,000 years.

Manitou Stone

Looking like a human head and torso, this stone near the chamber is sn excellent example of a manitou stone.

Many Legends of Sea Monsters Abound in New England

This "dinosaur" stone is one of half-a-dozen large stones including a giant fish and hand set up beside a ruined chamber and inscribed stone on a hilltop that encompasses a complet calendar on the surrounding hillside view.

The Focus of this Chamber Again is the Brightest Star in the Southern Sky

Fomalhaut helical set 11/12/250 BC, acronyc set 7/25/250 BC.

Equinox Sunrise on the Axis of the Small Chamber

Tiny Chmber in a Huge Mound

Far North and separated from the line of other chambers in the state, this smallest chamber focuses on the Imbolc and Samhain Sunsets.

Small Chamber Partially Removed when House was Attached to It.

One of the few chambers aligned to the summer solstice.

Chamber on the East Side of Blood Hill which is the Foresight for the Calendar II Chamber

This chamber is partially collapsed and it was difficult to get accurate measurements.

Another Chamber in Poor Repair

Equinox Sunrise Alignment.

Equinox Sunrise from the Fox Chair

Arrow of light

Arrow of light follows the wall and floor line

Vulva-form Carving

The sun lights this vulva-form carving as it exits the chamber symbolizing the rebirth of the year: the solar god inseminates the earth goddess.

Grid or Stylized Winged Goddess

One of two grids in the chamber resembling abstract depictions of the goddess at other sites.

Observation Platform

A complete calendar is marked by the geometry of the platform

Observation Platform

Madonna Stone

Looking like a hooded woman with a prominent breast, this stone stands on the summer solstice sunrise line from the platform.

Summer Solstice Sunrise Marker

Summer Solstice Sunrise Stone with Face and Ogam Inscription L-N, Celtic “Lan,” Meaning “Perfect” or “Fullness,” Referring to the Solstice Completion the Year.

Summer Solstice Sunrise

From the observation stone

Midpoint Marker

Marked stone on the middle of the line between the observation platform and the summer solstice sunrise stone, dividing the triangle into two golden triangles of 51.5 degrees.

Standing Stone

Standing stone at the entrance to Calendar II

Observation Stone

Reading up ogam letters read B M-H-G "Bi Amharg" meaning obsevation stone. Note the G renered as an eye.

A Small Chamber Near the Calendar II Site

Bel inscription on the lintel.

Winged Goddess

This is one of about a dozen depictions of a winged goddess connected to megalithic sites in Vermont. An inscription identifies her as the Celtic Goddess B-EA-N, or alternatively as Tanith. On top of this chamber was an inscribed stone directing one to go 10 miles north to Iargalon, the Precinct of the Gods.

Transcription of the Iargalon Stone

Yanod Dayeda Iargalon: Precincts of the Gods of the Land Beyond the Sunset

Nipple Stone

This brown stone is set on the breast of the goddess figure

Large Eye of Bel

One of a half-dozen Eye of Bel inscriptions and constructions stands on the other hillside above the Venus aligned chamber. This one is accompanied by four stone goddess figures, one of them with wings, that look to Mt. Ascutney in the distance.

Natural Stone Formation of Winged Goddess

Set on the hilltop just above the large Eye of Bel.

Summer Solstice Sunrise Stone

This stone is set on the mouth of the baby figure in the great goddess. The sun rises over the beak of the goddess figure at the beginning of spring, then climbs daily up the beak until it reaches the summer solstice position seen here, symbolizing the feeding of the infant new year.

Another Cat Stone

This stone resembling an Egyptian temple cat sits beside the Lion stone and looks to the Summer Solstice rise of Capella

Stone Wall and Standing Stone

Two stone rows with small standing stones lead from the lion and cat stones and point to a notch between two hills and a hilltop across the way.

Capella Rising

The other wall from the Lion stone points to the midnight rise of Capella at the Summer Solstice.

Bull Effigy

The Bear represents Imbolc because while bears breed in the summer gestation is delayed and they give birth around the first of February. The Bull shown here is associated with Beltane which occurs at the midpoint of Taurus.

Boar Effigy

Pigs are associated with Samhain because they breed at the beginning of November around the midpoint of Scorpio.

Beltane Stone

Ogam inscription identifies this stone.

Inscribed Bird Stone

Many Ogam inscriptions are found at sites, usually on bedrock or flat stones, but some occus on effigy stones such as this one.

Ogam Inscribed Stone

Located a few miles away this is one of the most impressive inscribed stones.

Equinox Sunrise over Moose Mountain

Twenty miles away the Equinox sun rises in the notch in Moose Mountain. After turning east at Killington Mountain, Moose Mountain is where the Appalachian Trail turns northward again.

Calendar I Chamber

Sitting in a bowl formed by two east-west running ridges on which stones were set to mark solstices and equinoxes, this chamber looks at the equinox sunrise.

Bel Inscription

Inside the Chamber

This inscribed winged goddess looks at the hilltop forming trhe wing of the landform goddess.

View of Fomalhaut Setting.

The distant hilltop is the wing of the landform goddess where Fomalhaut is seen setting about 450 AD.

Lugnasadh Over Monolith

While the chamber is aligned to the setting Fomalhaut on Samhain, it is announced by the setting sun over a hilltop dotted with standing stones, cairns and other placed stones.

Another chamber just outside theCalendar I bowl.

Plan of L-shaped Chamber

The diagonal goes to the maximum moon rise position, using the same hilltop as the summer solstice sunrise position from Calendar I.

Rigel Rising

The acronyc rise of Rigel occured about a month before the winter solstice around 450 AD. As seen along the chamber axis.

Face Carved in Stone in the Back of the Chamber

The face is usually not noticeable, but the sun reveals it on the solstice.

Equinox Sunrise and Sunset Standing Stone

On a knoll above the chamber a small pond is ringed with placed stones. This standing stone receives the first and last rays of the equinox sun.

Equal Day-Equal Night Sunrise

The sunrises exactly over the central peak on the day of equal day and night. The sun rises over the other two peaks one Bronze Age month (23 days) before and after.

Highest Chamber in Vermont

The Southern Cross would have been visible in Vermont prior to the beginning of this era. This unusual little chamber was constructed for that purpose.

Gacrux, the third Brightest Star in the Southern Cross.

Castor and Pollux Rise along the Diagonal Crossing the Right Side of the Entrance.

Castor and Pollux had their helical rise here one month before the Summer Solstice 450 AD and their acronyc rise in the middle of November. Pollux, the yellow star just above the horizon, is the seventeenth brightest star in the sky.

Cassiopeia, the entrance to the Spirit's Road

Many First Nation peoples believed that one boarded the road to the spirit world when the Milky Way dipped below the horizon as it does here looking due north from the chamber.

Poorly Maintained Chamber Still Shows Alignments

The bright Star Suhail Al Muhlif as Seen Rising from the Chamber

Rigel Rising on Samhain

Orion would be framed in the doorway about 7:30 in the evening on Samhain.

Sun Position as Marked by the Two Diagonals of the Chamber

The two solar positions marked by the diagonals of the chamber, the one on the left one month before the Autumnal Equinox and the one on the right the sunrise on Samhain and Imbolc.

One of Five Chambers in Southern Vermont

Standing stones and cairns as well as inscribed stones are found connected to this chamber.

Sunrise on Samhain and Imbolc

Samhain and Imbolc Sunrise are seen along the chamber axis.

Obelisk Chamber

Obelisk, once inside was removed, but two standing stones remain.

Another of the sixteen chambers within a short distance.

This chamber focuses on the wing of the giant landform goddess in Pomfret, and marks the setting place of Fomalhaut. A hilltop to the west, covered with standing stones, marked stones and cairns marks the setting sun on Beltane and Lugnasadh.

This Chamber is in Need of Restoration, but the Azimuth of mthe Chamber Looks at an important Star.

Bird Effigy beside the Chamber

The Hatch Chamber is the Fifth in the Calendar II Complex

Although in very poor repair its astronomical focus on Fomalhaut is still discernable.

A Small Chamber Aligned to the Equinox Sunrise

Imbolc Sunset

Chamber Aligned to Summer Solstice Sunset

Unique Chamber with Entrance in the top.

Spica Rising

Measured AZ of the chamber is about 96˚. That is the midnight rise position on the winter solstice of Spica about 600 AD. Orion’s belt also rose in this position helically one month before the winter solstice.

Equinox Sunrise

Fox Chair

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