Whether built by man or mother nature, there is something intriguing about our planet's caves. Dark, dank, and subterranean, these places have an air of mystique surrounding them. There are stone caverns of different sizes, shapes, and construction dotting the landscape in New England, some more well-known than others. In Connecticut, Hermit Cave lies in the Northeast corner of the state and there is quite a bit of mystery surrounding it.

Hermit Cave is found near the Rhode Island border in East Thompson. It is not a natural geological feature but rather a domed chamber built into the ground.

The entrance is to the cave is small, you have to crawl through the two-foot high opening to gain entry.

A three-foot-long passage leads to the main chamber which measures six feet, 8 inches tall and 7 1/2 feet wide. The way the stones are put together to craft this cave is much like an ancient work of art and architecture.

Locals are unsure why this structure is named Hermit Cave. There is no legend about a hermit that accompanies this cave in the woods.

This area in East Thompson was once part of a farm. This stone chamber might have been built as a root cellar, animal pen, or some other purpose. However, the chamber's construction is not similar to others colonial during colonial times, which brings about the mystery of why this cave exists.

One story has the cave constructed by Vikings who were shipwrecked off the Rhode Island shore. But there isn't much archaeological proof of a Viking settlement existing here.

More probable is the theory that the cave was a ceremonial sweat lodge used by Native Americans of the area.

Others speculate that this chamber was built for other reasons in the post-colonial era. Although the true purpose of Hermit Cave still remains a mystery, it is interesting to ponder its origin.

Hermit Cave can be found off of East Thompson Road with Rocky Brook to the east.

For more information about Hermit Cave and other caves in Connecticut, visit the Strange New England website.

What do you think about Hermit Cave? Did someone once live here? Or is the solution to the mystery something completely different? We'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas in the comments section.

You might also want to check out this abandoned village that is underneath Connecticut's largest lake.