Speakers of Ohlone dialects occupied the lands encompassed by Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and San Francisco Counties. One Ohlone triblet, the Carquin, occupied lands on the north shore of the Carquinez Strait in Solano County and probably in the southern part of Napa County.
Agua Caliente CreekSeven bedrock mortarsElevation 421 ft.This is another site we searched for in vain during several visits to Mission Peak. Thanks to Jeff (with an assist from Bill) for this excellent find.We’ve been told that the official site report for Agua Caliente Creek mentions four mortar rocks. The three others may lie buried nearby.
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 […]
First Terrace31 bedrock mortars, a 23 cupule rock, and 3-4 housepits.Elevation 775 ft.This site and the Kitchen site are actually on the same terrace, separated by a creekbed, but because we discovered and named the Kitchen site first, we called this site the “First Terrace.”A view of the First Terrace. The cupule rock is near […]
Lake Anza, east side10 bedrock mortars.We’re quite a ways up Wildcat Creek here on a little ridge above Lake Anza.
North Mission PeakRock alignment. Origin unknown.This is one of the mysterious rock alignments that can be found between Mission and Monument Peaks.Notice how this rock alignment appears to snake up the north slope of Mission Peak.We encountered this beautiful leucistic Red-tailed Hawk, probably a female based on her size, near the rocky trail to the […]
Sanborn Creek Village — Saratoga19 bedrock mortars in a beautiful site above a creek confluence.Elevation 980 ft.Another one of Joel’s discoveries. Sanborn Road runs right next to this site.A rare celebration of Indian history in the Bay Area hills. Visitors to this site are officially encouraged to explore–amazing. “Mortar” as used in this sign means […]
SW Walpert Ceremonial Site.22 bedrock mortars and stone circle placementsElevation 1365 ft.There are extensive views from here.Bob heads for the knob.A closer view of the site. The South Bay lies at its feet.Note the erosion and wear on these two old bowls. Their recessed, “Olla” rims are typically associated with boiling water or food preparation, […]
Welch-Hurst house14 bedrock mortarsElevation 1421 ft.Another one of Joel’s South Bay discoveries. This one is in Sanborn-Skyline County Park.Judge James Welch constructed this log-style house in 1892 (although some sources say 1908) as a summer home for his family. The historic value of the house, according to the National Register of Historic Places, derives from […]
Agua Caliente EastThree bedrock mortars and one anvilElevation 475 ft.Joel discovered this mortar rock up the creek from the Agua Caliente site.It’s unusual to see mortars in such poorly cemented sandstore. Note the small stones in the rock matrix.Photographs by Bob Bardell
Canyon Middle School8 bedrock mortars on two rocksElevation 302 ft.Thanks to Joel for discovering this charming site.One of the mortar rocks here sits near the edge of a steep cliff above Crow Canyon Road and the buried Crow Creek.There are beautifully proportioned mortars on this rock.Another beautiful mortar rock sits in a little meadow not […]
