Help iding a structure - guessing a cistern

Ace^of^Spades

Jr. Member
Jul 17, 2014
46
66
CT
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT PRO and ProPointer
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Help id'ing a structure - guessing a cistern

I came across this during a hunt in CT. It was all by itself in a wooded area, nothing else around. Inside is dark but looks like it can hold water or at least water is pooled in it at present. Anyone know what it is? The base is approx 4 feet, a person could easily slip through the opening. IMG_4394.jpg
 

Upvote 4
Dont know what it is exactly but it has some good bones to it. I like that curved stone entrance.
 

You so need to go in there....big flashlite, pictures..... I am all in on this one!
 

Looks like a root cellar

I agree. But a small inefficient one if it is. Not much earth around it to keep it cool. Maybe it was the coolest dog house ever built in the day :)
 

My best guess is a cistern for an underground spring.
 

LOOKS TO BE A OLE MT. SPRINGHOUSE . THE HAND CUT STONE IN THE ARCH IS NEAT. MAN I WOULD BE DIGGING AROUND THAT THING LIKE A DOG WITH FLEAS . IT IS HARD TO TELL WHATS INSIDE . ITS LIKE BWD SAID , PICTURES GOT TO HAVE SOME PICS .
 

Looks like the housing for an artesian spring, the water could have been piped to a springhouse or dairy shed a decent distance away. looks like some good detecting possibilities, thanks for sharing.
 

Wowsers!

I had no idea when I posted my pic today that brick and rock would create such an interest. Its not metal! So do you think I should go look inside there? Bring a torch and a film camera? What should I be looking for in the area? Someone said it looks like Ol' Springhouse and I used the latest internet technology and a new searching tool called Google and it does seem like it might be a spring house indeed.

Ok, I'm going to go back out there and see what I can find. And bring back more pictures. I expect it to be something between a Diggers episode and a Blair Witch episode. Wish me luck!
 

Awesome find. Keep us posted!
 

they used to call them "monk huts"
they are found all over New England and NY mostly
I helped study a bunch when I was in high school - used an old detector in the 80s around a few with not much
to show for it - sure a lot of them were repurposed thru the ages
100s of theories for them
 

Looks to be a cistern for a spring like the general consensus is. We have many here ( we just call them spring houses ), but the ones I have seen have pitched roofs. The arched one is very neat. I like to take pics so I'd probably use that as centerpiece for lots of shots.
 

Casper-2, what do you mean by "theories"?
 

some think they are prehistoric - some native American made - others think irish or English monks - others Vikings
some think cisterns - root cellars - hunting blinds - other storage - shelter - place to put bodies during northern winters when ground is froze
some of the more common "theories" -
I detected around a few with investigative party - I helped with pics and measurements too - never found anything colonial
mostly newer stuff
 

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