Turtle Mound

A stone cairn found in Andover overlooking Haggetts Pond in West Andover is possibly the oldest stone structure in America. It is named Turtle Mound because an arial view resembles a turtle. The boulders that make up the structure may vary in size from pebbles to 3 tons.

On the inside there are two cave-like chambers, eight feet in diameter and 10 feet high and rock-lined tunnel.

In a 1951 study of the structure, Yale archeologist Frank Glynn found a layer of human bones mixed with charcoal indicating the structure was used for ceremonial and cremation purposes. Radiocarbon dating of the charcoal sets the date at 2000 B.C. He also found spear points, axe heads, hammer stones, and drills. These he dates at 3000 B.C.

One of the owners of the property, a M. Harnois, built a shrine to a saint on the site in 1914. Evidence of Harnois' shrine still exists.

See

• Andover Guide Spring 2007, "A Look at Andover Turtle Mound" by Tom Draheim
• Ruins of Great Ireland in New England, Andover Room R 973.11 Goo, pages 102 to 108.
• NEARA Newsletter (New England Antiquities Research Association Newsletter), December 1969. This is found in the Andover Vertical File under architecture.
• NEARA Site Report Sheet. This is found in the Andover Vertical File under architecture.

Andover Guide, “Turtle Mound," by Tom Draheim, page 15 .....click to enlarge

Eleanor 16:16, November 3, 2006 (EST) back to Main Page