Travel with the Birds | A Trip Back in Time! Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park
Have you ever felt like you’ve stepped back in time?
We had the opportunity to visit a special place while we were on the road this summer. Visiting State and National Parks that are not only beautiful but full of history is something we love to do. This often leads us off the beaten path, but it’s usually well worth the ride!
This trip took us through the great state of Tennessee! Our destination, Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park!
Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park….
This amazing park is located where the Big Duck and Little Duck Rivers meet, separate and meet again in Manchester Tennessee. The park was established when the State of Tennessee purchased 400 acres from the Chumley estate in 1966. From the moment we drove through the gates we knew the park would be perfect for the night. Lush, green and quiet!!
Our first treat, this old bridge!
definitely a grand entrance! Hmmmm do you think we'll fit? Let's just say Mr. Bird was a wee bit stressed with this one!
We were so excited to explore we quickly parked the van, no time to rest!
Old Stone Fort is a geological structure built by Native Americans during the Middle Woodland period between 80 and 550 AD! Archeologists from the University of Tennessee investigated the site during the 60’s and determined the area to be used for ceremonial purposes. Notice the rivers surrounding the perimeter of the grounds?
Mounds were built to surround the 50 acre area. These mounds or “walls” were believed to be approximately 4-6 feet in height and constructed of roughly stacked rocks with soil and stone used as filler.
As I walked along the atmosphere felt so serene, and peaceful. No need to speak, just enjoy the surroundings. Although the walls have eroded over time you can still see the mounds aligning each side of the path.
There was so much to take in, just think about the passion and energy needed to finish this kind of project! I could only imagine people working, children laughing and playing along these very paths!
We finally reached the enclosure!
It was beautiful! Can you believe it, over 4,000 feet of wall was built to surround this space. Using radiocarbon analysis of charcoal samples taken from the walls, Archeologists have determined the building process covered several hundred years beginning in the 1st century AD and finishing sometime during the 2nd century.
What was this used for?
This was the best part! As the Woodland tribes were closely connected to their land and nature knowing when to plant, hunt and harvest was crucial for survival. This enclosure served as a moving calendar of sorts, tracking the seasons. The accuracy even by today's standards, unbelievable! Burial ceremonies, known as “cry ceremonies” lasting 5 days may also have been held within this enclosure. The tribal chief would chant and cry for 5 days, honoring those who had passed.
We were excited to hear more! Luckily the fort hosts a small museum housing artifacts found in and around the area. Notice the exterior of the museum; it was constructed using similar building techniques found within the mound systems surround the ceremonial enclosure. It’s not difficult to imagine this took several hundred years to complete!
The Wigwam!
built and lived in around the area. Archeologists now believe the McFarland and the Owl Hollow cultures were the Middle Woodland cultures responsible for building this fort.
Lovely carvings, a turtle shell perhaps?
Ceremonial pipes, such detail
Pelts used to make clothing.
There were so many artifacts to share, it was difficult to choose just a few!
Just outside the museum we found thisbeautiful waterfall, part of the Duck River which passes along and around the enclosure. Fresh water sources from the two rivers abundantly served those who lived and worked in the area.
There was so much to see my friends! Truly a perfect spot for our Wednesday walk! An opportunity to step back in time, a time without televisions or technology. A time to reflect and spend time with nature! I thank my friend @tattoodjay for hosting this wonderful #Wednesdaywalk! This was definitely good for the heart and soul, and as always nature showed up to say hello as we bid farewell to this enchanting place.
There was so much to learn here. I’m sure we’ll return, too much to see in just one visit. I’m so glad you stopped by! I hope you’ll take time to take a walk today, I promise you’ll be glad you did!
And as always blessings to you all!
What a stunning, serene and fascinating place! Wondering out loud if, in 1000 years and more, people will feel that same way walking through the debris of Manhatten or Chicago.... Inspirational.
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Yes, I wonder the same thing...sad. Although maintaining these national and state parks is so important for future generations. It was truly an inspirational spot to visit! Thanks @artemislives :)
How interesting it is to learn of enchanting names like Middle Woodland people who lived by the moon and stars for direction. Seasonal changes timed to perfection in mounds such as this.
Duck river another down to earth name one would not forget, stepping back into the past with you has been a lovely outing @birdsinparadise thanks for sharing.
It was facinating @joanstewart, we truly enjoyed our visit. It was definitely an enchanting place, you could feel the essence of those who had worked so hard to build this enclosure. To imagine building over 4000 feet of 4-6 foot walls, what an endeavor, and to be withing degrees of perfection with the soltice, wow! So glad you stopped by @joanstewert, thank you!
Old archaeological sites are intriguing to see how people started forming a way of life in villages. Using natural elements in building and guiding them through seasonal change, always enjoy learning about history.
What a very special place to visit, you've managed to capture the serenity there in your words and photos my friend! Is it not amazing how the ancient people had the knowledge to build a structure that could indicate the seasons with such accuracy! Thank you for sharing this with us.
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It's hard to believe indeed! We just watched a documentary the other day about structures built all over the world capturing the solstice. It is truly facinating to see what they were able to do without "technology" as we know it today. Some structures were within mere degrees of perfect, amazing. So glad you enjoyed our visit to the park :) Thank you @lizelle!
Wow I had never heard of this- so fascinating! As I shared with dad last night, the Cahokia mounds in Illinois also had a way to chart the solstice and other sun events. It’s so powerful to honor those who came before and had so much wisdom! Resteemed ☺️
It was areally a neat place to visit, in fact we went back a second time. We just watched a documentary the other day about the architectural wonders built all around the world from India, to Asia, Egypt to Mexico amazing structures were built many many years ago to tract the soltice and the accuracy was incredible. Within mere degrees of perfect. You would love the documentary! So glad you enjoyed it. So much wisdom here and withouth technology! :)
How beautiful!! I love National Parks and have a love for the history that is always attached to them. How wonderful to get in your camper and go!
You really picked a winner this time!
What amazing skills they ahve always had! We are so lagging behind in so many ways!
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Love the peace and quiet @dswigle, not to mention spending time with nature. Traveling in the camper has been such a gift, enabling us to see areas of the country we probably would see otherwise! :) Thank you my friend!
The peace here certainly speaks to one.
1 AD was a very long time ago and amazing how the constructed the area to align with the elements.
A lovely post indeed my friend!
Blessings!
Can you believe it 1 AD.... and to think these people were able to build something so exact! We watched a documentary the other day about structures built all around the world capturing the soltice. From the Egyptians to the Asians to Native Americans to the Mayans all were able to construct enclosures or structures to align with the soltice. Note, none were using "technology" we see used today. Many within a degree or two of perfection, amazing! Thank you @papilloncharity! Sunday blessings to you and your family :)
And the main thing is that we will never know how they all did it my friend.
Sure, they had star gazers, but planet gazers are a totally different kettle of fish. So many secrets lies locked up in the vaults of the distant past.
Many "professional" opinions are aired, such as they must have had alien help and I even read somewhere that the Egyptian Pyramids were exact landing beacons built by aliens for the landing of their space ships.
But what do we know?
Blessings also to you guys!
What an interesting post such a beautiful area with such interesting history thanks so much for sharing it with us
Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :)
Thank you @tattoodjay, this was an inspiring park to visit. Learning about those who came before us is amazing, the hard work and energy they had to put into each day unbelievable. Glad you enjoyed :) Thank you for the #wednesdaywalk!
I bet it was learning about the history of an are ais always interesting to me :)
Friend @birdsinparadise We are sure that your close contact with the environment and nature in all its splendor was satisfactory, it is great to feel the fresh air without pollution, I hope to continue reading such beautiful post.
Thank you @fundakantoria! I'm so glad you stopped by! Cheers!
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We send you a big hug from Venezuela.
All that gloriously calming, tranquil, green......
I'm breathing differently just enjoying it on my screen.
A walk is called for but along the edges of the waves - all those blues to the horizon......blissful.
Enjoyed your post very much.
Aww, thank you @justjoy! It truly felt like that! As I said, I felt like whispers were all we were allowed to do :) Very serene and of course the green, truly peaceful! Glad you enjoyed my friend!
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