With reference to the sense of permanence offered by rocks, at least in my Anglo culture:
Friday, December 04, 2009
More rocks from the Lincoln Cemetery
With reference to the sense of permanence offered by rocks, at least in my Anglo culture:
Split-wedged and Split-filled rocks from Carlisle, MA
Went out for a walk with my Friend From Carlisle (FFC) in the woods north of South Str. Driving over there from my house I passed a wet rocky area along Lowell Rd on private property, that I glance into on the way by, thinking "if I went to explore that, the first thing I would hope to see is a split-wedged rock". That is because it is such a common feature of the little rocky, wet areas that dot the landscape here in Massachusetts.
Starting the walk with FFC, we stepped into the woods into a rocky, wet area. Seeing a split rock a few feet away, I went to take a look:
We walked around in the pine saplings, uphill a bit to the west and saw a boulder with multiple splits. They were all wedged:
[Sorry I did not photo the whole boulder]
Later, I forget where exactly, FFC showed me this split-filled rock:
I wonder why this rock is filled rather than simply wedged? Is it a different phenomenon?
During the course of the walk we saw one rock pile. So these split-wedged and -filled rocks are pretty common in this part of Carlisle.
Starting the walk with FFC, we stepped into the woods into a rocky, wet area. Seeing a split rock a few feet away, I went to take a look:
We walked around in the pine saplings, uphill a bit to the west and saw a boulder with multiple splits. They were all wedged:
[Sorry I did not photo the whole boulder] Later, I forget where exactly, FFC showed me this split-filled rock:
I wonder why this rock is filled rather than simply wedged? Is it a different phenomenon?During the course of the walk we saw one rock pile. So these split-wedged and -filled rocks are pretty common in this part of Carlisle.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
One more item from the Lincoln site
I forgot to post this example of a split wedged rock:
In the background, the pile overlooking Rt 2.
In the background, the pile overlooking Rt 2.
Back to a site I know in Lincoln, MA
I have a policy of detailing locations of sites in Lincoln, MA out of a long-established enmity. But there are some nice woods. Here, then, is a site by Rt 2 just east of Tracy's Garage. This is the ultimate headwater of Hobbs Brook which soon becomes the Charles River. I went back to see the place and found something I had forgotten, or was not aware of last time I visited: a chambered cairn:
I know it is a mess but the uneven hollows in the pile have brief moments of well-made siding, in other words, they do look like remnants of holes built into the pile, now collapsed or broken. Now I know you will be saying: those aren't structural, that mess you see is just someone digging into the pile. However, I have been thinking about this type of pile since reporting on a recent find in Harvard (click here).As with the pile in Harvard there were small outliers:
(Compare with the last photo of the Harvard example above.) And several more rock piles uphill nearby:
This shows two of three not quite in a line but at about the same elevation on the slope. A closeup of one:
There were other rock piles on the slope that I did not pay too much attention to. I wanted to explore more to the south, which I did - taking pictures at the cemetery. But I did not find too much of anything new.Let's look at some more pictures. Here is a rock pile I included in the discussion of "Twins" (click here) where the parallel shape of these two rocks exemplified a certain type of rock pile [and still does].
Did I notice at the time that the support rock is also of this same kidney bean shape? Three of these shapes all together must mean something.And then this example, further uphill, of where a rock pile is clearly in lieu of a rock - convincing me that it is the object's location that is important, and it could have been a rock or a rock pile.
And then, how about the "money" shot of a rock pile with Rt 2 in the background.
I have tried to see it as I drive east from Tracy's garage, at the exact height of land. In principle it ought to be visible - one of four interesting things visible from this highway between Lexington and Leominster.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Rocks express a sentiment
I wonder how universal is the sense that rocks express a meaning that will persist beyond our own time?
This is from the Lincoln Cemetery.
This is from the Lincoln Cemetery.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Uphill from the see-through niche
by theseventhgeneration
Going uphill from the see-through niche, a small rock pile. Although this picture is a little blurry, I believe it is worth posting to show the line of sight. The see-through niche on the lower rock pile is at the lower left.
Below, two views of the same rock pile, for two reasons. This is to show the small hole in the top. The construction is deliberate.
Then, this view, 90 degrees from the picture above, the top of the rock pile lines up nicely with both the horizon and the rock pile above it.
This standing stone is one that, in and of itself, I might question whether or not it was placed.
But here is something to consider. Just above this stone, looking downhill you can see another rock pile in the distance so that the two together have an intentional appearance. If you click on this photo, you may see that distant rock pile just over the dead fall branch.
This large rock pile is further uphill, at the flat or plateau that is just below a large outcrop.
A view from the front of the boulder. Notice that, although there are trailing rocks at the back, there are no rocks stacked on top, to the very front of the boulder where it is flat. This would not have been efficient if this was field clearing. There is another rock pile just off to the right from this photo, but too far to fit both piles in one photo.
This stone is pretty thick, so I can't say whether or not it is intentional as a standing stone, however, notice the two rock piles visible just above it in the distance. Visibility from feature to feature seems to be a theme at this site.
This last rock pile is within view of a large outcrop (the outcrop is just off to the left). I looked at this pile from different views and it appears to be nothing more than a "heap of stones" until you look at it from this vantage point. It is pretty when looked at from this direction.
The majority of the site is just behind and to the right of this rock pile.
Going uphill from the see-through niche, a small rock pile. Although this picture is a little blurry, I believe it is worth posting to show the line of sight. The see-through niche on the lower rock pile is at the lower left.
Below, two views of the same rock pile, for two reasons. This is to show the small hole in the top. The construction is deliberate.
Then, this view, 90 degrees from the picture above, the top of the rock pile lines up nicely with both the horizon and the rock pile above it.
This standing stone is one that, in and of itself, I might question whether or not it was placed.
But here is something to consider. Just above this stone, looking downhill you can see another rock pile in the distance so that the two together have an intentional appearance. If you click on this photo, you may see that distant rock pile just over the dead fall branch.
This large rock pile is further uphill, at the flat or plateau that is just below a large outcrop.
A view from the front of the boulder. Notice that, although there are trailing rocks at the back, there are no rocks stacked on top, to the very front of the boulder where it is flat. This would not have been efficient if this was field clearing. There is another rock pile just off to the right from this photo, but too far to fit both piles in one photo.
This stone is pretty thick, so I can't say whether or not it is intentional as a standing stone, however, notice the two rock piles visible just above it in the distance. Visibility from feature to feature seems to be a theme at this site.
This last rock pile is within view of a large outcrop (the outcrop is just off to the left). I looked at this pile from different views and it appears to be nothing more than a "heap of stones" until you look at it from this vantage point. It is pretty when looked at from this direction.
The majority of the site is just behind and to the right of this rock pile.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Old structures along an un-named tributary of Rocky Brook, Stirling MA
A few old things along the edges of the level area by the west side of the brook:
Not sure what this might have been:
Then, on the other side of the brook, a pair of larger piles:
(from the other side)
Here is a better view of the smaller one:
It shows signs of careful construction but I try to be a little suspicious of the rock piles. Uphill and a bit upstream from these were some other more loosely scattered rocks, possibly from field clearing or possibly a smeared remnant of a destroyed rock pile; it was hard to say. There was quite a lot of that tourmaline granite in there.
(Nice rock in the foreground.)
Not sure what this might have been:
Then, on the other side of the brook, a pair of larger piles:
(from the other side)
Here is a better view of the smaller one:
It shows signs of careful construction but I try to be a little suspicious of the rock piles. Uphill and a bit upstream from these were some other more loosely scattered rocks, possibly from field clearing or possibly a smeared remnant of a destroyed rock pile; it was hard to say. There was quite a lot of that tourmaline granite in there.
(Nice rock in the foreground.)Small Hillside site in Sterling with Tourmaline Granite
A small hillside site 1/2 mile south of Hycrest Pond. At first glance, an isolated rock-on-rock:
Then, further down hill, a pair of rock piles:
Here is one:
and a closeup:
And the other pile:
and a closeup:
Both piles had this pale material at the southern side of the pile. This is the same material I mentioned here. It really is used a lot in this part of Stirling.
Then, further down hill, a pair of rock piles:
Here is one:
and a closeup:
And the other pile:
and a closeup:
Both piles had this pale material at the southern side of the pile. This is the same material I mentioned here. It really is used a lot in this part of Stirling.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A Symbolic Journey: Returing a Rock Stolen from a Rock Pile
I don't know what came over me but I saw a pretty rock in a rock pile and took it. Doug Harris of the Narragansetts says that moving or taking a rock from a rock pile breaks the prayer. Nonetheless he is seen, in a bit of footage, taking a rock from a pile, examining it and putting it back carefully in the same place. So this occasionally must be allowed. But that is no excuse for my taking the rock that I did. It was a nice granite-y rock with white feldspar and black tourmaline crystals. Later, I found an another example of this kind of rock and this made it easier to think about returning the first piece I had taken from the pile. So last Saturday I went on symbolic journey to return the rock.
Back at the site, which is in Sterling overlooking Hycrest Pond from the southwest, I sought out the pile I had damaged. On the way, I saw a different pile with a white rock in it and, 
on closer inspection, comparing what I was carrying to the rock in the pile: 
I could see this same special tourmaline granite was used here as well. I could not resist taking some new photos of the place, noticing new details: 
(I have been paying closer attention to how things are related to splits in rocks.)
Then I got back to the damaged pile, as perfect a spot as you could hope for (view to the north)
[Notice what looks like a path in this picture, passing the pile and heading toward the lake.]
Found the hole where the rock was missing:
and popped it back into place: 
I know this is not OK but it was the best I could do. A final picture of this beautiful rock, I can tell you that the best surface with the nicest crystal visible was turned uppermost.
This is not a common material but it seems relatively common in this part of Sterling.
Later, I continued poking around in the woods to the south and continued to find occasional rock piles with this same special tourmaline granite. This rock was a real favorite. Meanwhile, these piles overlooking Hycrest Pond are right next to an old house foundation and a possible collapsed underground chamber. I can easily imagine a person living in the house, having ceremonies all over the neighborhood, using this special material. For example, right nearby:
Symbolism for me, even if stripped of superstition, is still satisfying. I was glad to return this rock.
on closer inspection, comparing what I was carrying to the rock in the pile: 
I could see this same special tourmaline granite was used here as well. I could not resist taking some new photos of the place, noticing new details: 
(I have been paying closer attention to how things are related to splits in rocks.) Then I got back to the damaged pile, as perfect a spot as you could hope for (view to the north)
[Notice what looks like a path in this picture, passing the pile and heading toward the lake.]Found the hole where the rock was missing:
and popped it back into place: 
I know this is not OK but it was the best I could do. A final picture of this beautiful rock, I can tell you that the best surface with the nicest crystal visible was turned uppermost.
This is not a common material but it seems relatively common in this part of Sterling.Later, I continued poking around in the woods to the south and continued to find occasional rock piles with this same special tourmaline granite. This rock was a real favorite. Meanwhile, these piles overlooking Hycrest Pond are right next to an old house foundation and a possible collapsed underground chamber. I can easily imagine a person living in the house, having ceremonies all over the neighborhood, using this special material. For example, right nearby:
Symbolism for me, even if stripped of superstition, is still satisfying. I was glad to return this rock.
More Turtle Visions
Rob Buchanan writes: 
Here are some images of a turtle-shaped boulder in the Wiccoppee area of the Fahnestock State Park, NY.As shown in 414, there is a small but interesting stack of rocks on the flat top of the boulder. Obviously, this stack has been constructed carefully.
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