Saturday, April 21, 2007

Rock piles from Virginia

Reader Karen Henderson writes in with some pictures of a site behind her house in VA.
Of particular interest is a pile with a central piece of rock made of blue quartz - an unusual color for quartz.Also of note are these peculiar shaped rocks in the piles:
Here is a closer view of that rock on top, but note also the one to the lower right. They seem unlikely to be natural. Here is another pile from there:Karen writes about the site:
Have several circular rock mounds (approx.4-7' high, 12-15' wide) on westward facing slope in VA foothills of Blue Ridge Mountains, approx. 15-20 in all. Some are equidistantly spaced up and down hill from each other, several are in corner of old stone wall, which ends abruptly in one direction. Each is approx. same size, with same size large boulder-like stones. Appears they are not result of agricultural clearing, as there are no small stones thrown onto piles. Each pile is relatively equidistant from the next. Also, these piles are confined to the west slope - none on other slopes around it.
Have found many Native American artifacts on my land in years prior, including spearheads (dated to circa 10,000 years) flakes, pottery shards, and post molds. Also some primitive farming implements, pitted from turning soil, and other artifacts.

I have more odd shapes [of rocks on rock piles] that do not seem to be naturally created, and will forward a couple more. It is my understanding that the blue quartz is only found in one other location in the world, Western Africa - probably a vein that was separated when the continents split. The site contains many piles over several acres, running in a line parallel along the ridge from SW to NE, with visibly older and more destroyed piles upridge (SW) of the "younger" piles (pix I sent). The slope itself faces WNW.

3 comments :

Anonymous said...

A Google search for blue quartz indicates quite a few locations in VA for the mineral.

The slope on which the cairns are found faces the direction where all souls go after death, which could be an explanation for the cairns, especially since they face an impressive vista.

None of the cairns in the photos look anywhere near 4-7' high. Maybe your reader could send images of them.

Unknown said...

Im a little freaked out dont know why but i am. I live in va in the foothills of the blue ridge mountains and i have these exact round mounds of rocks also about 20 mounds all on a western facing hill the mounds are up and down the slope also spaced apart like intentionLly. Ive lived here 20 years and i love to go there its so peaceful and you can hear the stream that runs through at the bottom where a flat clearing is. I first thought the indians made them but then i thought maybe soldiers at war or indians at war. Idk. It crossed my mind it could be burial grounds but i just thought nah it aint lol. I go and pray there and reminisce and think especially when im feeling down. Its just a peaceful place in the woods with animals and birds. Now im really thinking it is a burial site and i got to feeling spooked by it for some reason. I never messed with the rocks or moved them just in ase it was a sacred place but i have sat on one big one though near a fallen tree. Hope i didnt bother anything.

Anonymous said...

You are probably right.. an old burial ground or fort..Love your comment.