Looking through the entrance passage, which also has some grave shaped wotsit in it. Image credit: Chris Bickerton postman Nov 19, 2012
I wondered if the grave-shaped wotsit was maybe to do with corn-drying kiln? Coflein mentions but sadly doesn't expand.
I thought as much, would they put it in the entrance way though, seems a tad dangerous to invite your neighbors in " watch out for the kiln" ouch