Volvon Village on Mallory Creek 715 bedrock mortars and countless housepits spread over a half mile. Cupule rock. This village, located in the highlands of the Black Hills, must have been one of the largest settlements in the prehistoric Bay Area, yet it was, apparently, unknown to early archaeologists and historians. It does not appear […]
Blue Oak Trail16 bedrock mortars above Blue Oak Trail.This is a sweet campsite with a secluded feel even though it’s right above Blue Oak Trail and a stone’s throw from the Lion’s Mane Village.The bowl mortar here is about the size and shape of a small mixing bowl–8 1/2″ in diameter–and a little over 6″ […]
Upper Welch Creek Road5 bedrock mortars and 15 cupules, three on a secondary rock.Elevation 2180 ft.Thanks to Bill and Lou for turning us on to this site.The headwaters of Indian Joe Creek rise right across the road.This is one of our few drive up (or pedal up) sites.A closer look at some of the cupules […]
Gossip Rock5 bedrock mortars, possible cupules and incisions.This is one of the rare archaeological sites identified by East Bay Regional Parks. It’s listed right there on the map for Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Park. Be sure to sit here for a while. Enjoy the south-facing rock and the view of Mission Peak.Jim studies a mortar on […]
Pena-Vaca Adobe11 bedrock mortars and at least 9 portable mortarsElevation 179 ft.The original adobe dates from 1842.The low wall here partially encloses a burial ground.A diverse set of mortars. Lots of cupules/anvils too.A pretty setting near the Indian Council Grounds.
Briggs Creek below Alma College25 bedrock mortars, 8 cupules/anvilsElevation 795 ft.In Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.Acess currently requires a permit. See Bear Creek Redwoods permits for details.Joel’s research led us out here, but we were darn lucky to find this cool site.Looking down at the site.Getting closer to the main kitchen rock.This is one […]
West Ohlone Rocky Ridge17 bedrock mortars and 20 cupulesElevation 1958 ft.Thank you Jeff! Another great discovery. We passed within 50 yards of this site at least three times without noticing it.Bob heads toward the site. There are mortars in that pile of rocks straight ahead of him down the hill.A fine example of a rock […]
Lake Del Valle, Campsite 7414 cupule rock and 1 small bedrock mortar on rock in the nearby creekElevation 714 ft.Thanks to Joel and Alex for discovering these rocks.The cupule rock was likely moved here. The patterns of cupules appear non-random, which suggests they may have had representational functions.This shallow mortar is difficult to make out […]
Pine Canyon #12 bedrock mortars, 2 cupules, and an incised rock at the Intersection of Castle Rock and Stage Road Trails.Mortar and pestle.
Canada del Cierbo28 bedrock mortars, cupules/anvils, and middenLess than 1/2 mile from Interstate 80 off Cummings SkywayElevation 208 ft.Thanks to Joel for leading us here.Archaeological analysis of this site recovered charcoal and bone more than 4,000 years old. Midden at this site may be from N. C. Nelsons Crockett Mound (No. 254).The expedition heads toward […]
