Sacred Sites of Northeast USA: Connecticut: Gungywamp, near Groton CT

Large cairn at Gungywamp

Photos by Rev. Alicia Folberth

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Gungywamp, near Groton, Connecticut is the location of several stone chambers and configurations that could have been formed by Celtic monks, early Celtic explorers, Native Americans, soldiers, or maybe just colonial sheep farmers. Many theories and controversies exist and no one really knows for sure. (Sounds a lot like Stonehenge from across the ocean in Wiltshire, England, doesn't it?)

Materials found at the Gungywamp site have been dated in a wide range from between 2000-770 BC. One recent dating found that some of the materials found were also from 600 AD. This range of dates makes one wonder, "Why couldn't it have been used by all these people over the years?

Even the name Gungywamp causes controversy. Some say it is an ancient Native American name. Others say that it is an ancient Gaelic word meaning "church of the people." Once again, no one knows for absolute certain.

Only one thing is certain, it is an intriguing site that is fascinating to visit. It is on private land, however, and tours can be set up through the Gungywamp Society. You can visit the stones on your own, but it is better to call ahead and let someone know that you are going to be there.

The site is a series of amazing beehive chambers and petroglyphs, a double circle of stones near to its center just above the stone chambers. From the pictures taken by intrepid explorer Alicia Folberth on a recent trip to Gungywamp, there is also evidence of a larger outer circle of stones not seen on most of the existing maps of the area. (See slideshow below)

An amazing experience shared by Dave Barron, then head of the Gungywamp Society, was originally seen in Robert Cahill's book, New England's Ancient Mysteries, page 41:

"Visiting the Gungywamp site on the afternoon of September 21st, Dave Barron, the head of the Gungywamp Society, saw a sight that he would never forget. He said, “The setting sun had cast a beam of light through the vent shaft at the back of the chamber. This beam of light slowly moved down the east wall and spotlighted into the small beehive crypt near the entrance. This stone-lined tube was designed precisely to permit the Equinoctial sunset to fully penetrate the chamber’s dark interior on only two days during the year—March 22nd and September 21. The high density of garnet in the stones magnified the intensity of the sunlight entering the chamber. It certainly acts as a predictable calendar."

For further information about Gungywamp and New England's stone circles and ancient mysteries

Bord, Janet and Colin. A Guide to Ancient Sites in Britain. London: Paladin Grafton Books, 1979.

Bord, Janet and Colin. Mysterious Britain. London: Paladin Grafton Books, 1974.

Bradley, Michael. Holy Grail Across the Atlantic. Willowdale, Ontario, Canada: Hounslow Press, 1993.

Brennan, Martin. The Stones of Time. Calendars, Sundials, and Stone Chambers of Ancient Ireland. Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions International, 1994.

Gordon, Cyrus H. Before Columbus: Links Between the Old World and Ancient America. New York: Crown, 1971.

Hadingham, Evan. Circles and Standing Stones. New York: Walker and Company, 1975.

Hard, Walter R., Jr., and Janet C. Greene,editors. Mischief in the Mountains. Montpelier, Vermont: Vermont Life Magazine (publishers), 1970.

Jones, Gwyn. A History of the Vikings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984.

Mavor, James and Byron Dix. Manitou. (submitted by Nancy W. of Pennsylvania. Thank you!)

Souden, David. Stonehenge Revealed. New York: Facts on File, Inc.,1997.

Stevens, Austin N., editor. Mysterious New England. Dublin, New Hampshire: Yankee Incorporated, 1971.

Trento, Salvatore M. Field Guide to Mysterious Places of Eastern North America. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1997.

Westwood, Jennifer, editor. The Atlas of Mysterious Places. New York: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1987.

Oher websites of interest:

New England Antiquities Research Association-an excellent site, with past articles, information on ongoing and past research, links to other sites, book reviews.

Concord Lithics-regarding lithic finds in and around the Concord, MA area.

Mid-Atlantic Geomancy-visit the section under Sacred Space titled New England's Megalithic Mysteries for more on this topic.

Megaliths, Caves & Other Interesting Stuff!-pages on a variety of topics mostly relating to Litchfield County, Connecticut history, archaeology and mysteries.

America's Stonehenge-directions to site, hours of operation, a bit of the site's history, bookstore.

The Old Stone Mill-Redwood Library & Athenaeum's web version of its publication regarding the Newport, RI stone tower, including its controversial history.

The Red Paint People-a short article about possible origins and artifacts of this ancient people who lived in the northeast US.

Did Irish Monks Build this New England Chamber circa 700 A.D.?-a short discussion of the Upton Chamber in Massachusetts.

The Gungywamp Society's Page-the homepage for the group which helps preserve and continue research into a large and intriguing site in southeastern Connecticut (which is on land held privately by various groups and individuals, unfortunately, but tours of the site can be arranged through the Society).

The Mysterious Megaliths of New England - by Paul Tudor Angel

Great Ireland in New England - a quoted chapter from New England's Buried Treasure by Clay Perry, 1946.

Some non-New England related websites:

Archaeological Outliers-interesting articles and photos of some intriguing archaeological anomalies and mysteries in North America.

Every Ogham Thing on the Web- a definitive list of sites related to Ogham, the ancient Celt Irish script which may be present in some North American lithic sites.

Archaeoastronomy-a small but interesting site regarding lithic sites viewed archaeoastronomically & has a calendar of terrestrial events (such as Beltane & Samhain) based on Celtic lore.

Places of Peace & Power: Sacred Sites Around the World - beautifully captured on film by photographer Martin Gray, with a synopsis of the site's unique history.

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