Rivers of Stone, Rivers Within Stone

(Rock Art in Ancient Puerto Rico)– Peter G. Roe

“Rock art has eluded quantification, pictographs and petrogylphs tend not to be regarded as fit subjects for “scientific” study. Because of that abdication, many amateurs have rushed in to fill the void, some competent and cautious, others rash and sloppy, reading all sorts of bizarre notions into the “ultimate Rorschach test” that is rock art (page 298).”

More: Rivers of Stone, Rivers Within Stone

The Red Rock of Randolph MA

Driving south of Blue Hill you'll see reddish rock next to the highway, especially as you turn south on Rt 24 in Randolph. Always wanted to find rock piles made out of the red rock:

Closer:

Note how the split is wedged and covered with other rocks.  Here is one more:

 

 These are next to Canton Street, by a spring:

From here the water drops down into Ponkapoag Pond:

Years ago, Bruce McAleer and I explored the north shore of this pond - a place of old hotels and resort paraphernalia. I guess the bit of woods on the south shore is less disturbed. Anyway, we hoped to find piles like the ones above, but never did.

The internet tells me this red rock is part of the Wamsutta Formation which apparently is also related to the reddish rhyolite we see an occasional arrowhead made from.

Memoirs of a Rolling Stone

Some nice rocks here.

First rock pile of the year

Found this poking out, in the (town of) Harvard woods, by a brook.

Burn to reveal unusual stone prehistoric features

BILLINGS (Montana) - "Using a controlled burn this spring, Havre archaeologist Josh Chase hopes to reveal a prehistoric site along the Milk River that contains large rock effigies resembling a turtle and a human figure.

“It’s not something you run into every day,” said Chase, who works for the Bureau of Land Management. “It’s been identified as being unique for a really long time.”

   The 800-acre site is protected as an area of critical environmental concern because of its historic value. Chase said within the larger area are the 300 acres where the majority of the artifacts are located — drive lines to herd bison off a cliff, teepee rings, rock cairns and the large figures that are “reminiscent of religiously significant” creations like medicine wheels.

   “They are some pretty significant rocks, too — several hundred pounds,” Chase said. “It was a concentrated effort to make the features.”" 

Click here for the rest: Burn to Reveal Unusual Stone Features

Frog Rock (Eastford CT)

I don’t know how I missed this story but I did:

“Frog Rock being made into Connecticut tourist stop”

By Kim Lucey Aug 02, 2013 

EASTFORD, CT ( WFSB) - "If you've traveled around the state, you may have seen some of the unique painted rocks that dot the Connecticut landscape. There's a dog, a turtle, an eagle and a frog..."

Read more (and see the image): http://www.wfsb.com/story/23031784/frog-rock-being-made-into-connecticut-tourist-stop#ixzz3VgRM8hAT

Possible Petroform (in the Rain)?

Somewhere (in the rain) in Bethlehem CT.

Speaking of "Petroforms"

Should these count?
Sudbury State Forest

Franklin State Forest 

Forgotten Monuments of Northern Sweden

From Past Horizons [click here]. Hmm...now, where have we seen this sort of thing before? Oh yeah, farmers in Northern Sweden had to clear their fields too.

Wallking has resumed but...

...still not much to see. Time to get my legs back in shape.

Nolumbeka Events

River Walk: Native American History
Saturday, May 2, 2015; 10am-12pm
Turners Falls, MA
Join the Nolumbeka Project and the Connecticut River Watershed Council to learn about 10,000 years of Native American presence near the Great Falls. Learn from and speak to experts in the Native American history of this area, culminating in the Turners Falls massacre during King Phillips War in 1676. Meet at the Unity Park/bike path gravel parking area on First St in Turners Falls. Involves leisurely walking along paved bike path for 1-1.5 miles. Accessible to all; dogs on leashes welcome. Free (donations appreciated).

Here is a link to the March 10 Valley Advocate with an article involving the Nolumbeka Project, http://www.valleyadvocate.com/2015/03/10/trashy-art/  David Brule, Nolumbeka Project Board member and Battlefield Grant coordinator, is quoted in the opening and closing paragraphs about the significance of the Great Falls area to Native Americans of the Northeast. At 1 p.m. the Nolumbeka Project will share the annual Day of Remembrance ceremony of the 339th anniversary of the 1676 Great Falls Massacre at the Discovery Center. Meanwhile, now that spring is finally here, find a stone that might symbolize healing and reconciliation.  On the 16^th we will be collecting those stones to become part of a permanent ceremonial mound on the Wissatinewag land. This monument will be assembled permanently and dedicated on June 20. It is likely to be added to year after year. We will announce other details and time as they become available.

Attached to this e-mail is a flyer of a presentation by Larry Mann of the Nipmuc tribe in Plainfield this Sunday.

This exhibit currently showing at Greenfield Community College might be or interest to you.

Gallery Talk: John Willis
 3/25/2015 Start Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Artist and Marlboro College professor of photography John Willis discusses his work, currently on exhibit in the South Gallery at Greenfield Community College Main Campus, Main Building, South Wing.. "House/Home, A Work in Progress" documents the housing conditions on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Free and open to the public; exhibit runs March 2-April 9.

Attachments area

Preview attachment larry mann.jpg

Easter Rock

From an interested hiker, Suzy K:

This rock reminds me of Easter. I found it beside#112 westbound on  the river that runs from N. Woodstock, NH. There is a foot bridge right there--old restaurant river-side nearby.
The quartz I understand is ocean sand heavily pressed but how in the world did it go 90 degrees?
Just thought it was pretty--not man-made--better.
[PWAX - The rose petals were commented on, as unexpected.]

Coni’s Hafted Stone

    Coni DuBois, President, Editor, and Researcher for The Chagum Native American Descendants Association just recently passed along a couple photos to me of an interesting stone. She told me that she “Received this in the mail the other day - sent to my by Eric Chipponi - found in the (Litchfield) Connecticut area many years ago - felt I should have it - no other info - anyone have a idea what it is? Made of a beautiful light green stone~ Reddish/Orange tint to the end of it~ - looking forward to any input as to what it might be or the stone it is made from (not for sale - was a gift)… - was a thoughtful gift - due to my research on the Barkhamsted Lighthouse Village and Native American in area he thought I should have it~ My research can be found at www.conidubois.wordpress.com"

    Like they say in the Hair Club commercial, Coni isn’t just the President of the organization, she’s also a member – a Descendant of the People Who Lived at Barkhamsted Lighthouse circa 1740.

Yet Another Stone Serpent Looking Sideways

(And Downhill)

Above: the original Matt H. image from

Mendon, MA. "Snaking" Serpent Wall

Some Similar Such Stone Structures: Another Stone Serpent Looking Sideways

Almost there...just a little longer....

Rocks are starting to poke through the snow. Animal tracks have started to appear, after months of unbroken surface. Still 10 inches too deep for these old muscles but, otherwise, one could look for rock piles. Hopefully the search continues soon.

Holliston Historical Society Talk OOPS! it is March 19th

I am speaking: 7:30 Thursday March 18 March 19. Be there or be square.

They are ALL stone tools

See all those rocks on the ground? They estimate 75 stone tools per square meter.

From http://phys.org/news/2015-03-saharan-carpet-tools-earliest-man-made.html

Pedestaled Boulder

Those who propose that all pedestaled boulders are the result of natural forces should consider this example from Mt. Huron in northern Michigan.  I found this spectacular photo online, and have not been able to contact the fellow who took it.  The support stones are all angular with flat bottoms, and the boulder is, I believe, less than three feet long, but must weigh hundreds of pounds.

Norman

National Parks Service Battlefield Grant study of the Great Falls Massacre - Informational Meeting

From the Nolumbeka Project:
You likely have heard mention of the National Parks Service Battlefield Grant study of the Great Falls Massacre. Nolumbeka Project Board member David Brule is the coordinator of this historic partnership and three other NP Board members, Pat Allen, Howard Clark and Joe Graveline are on the advisory committee. You may be interested in attending the first public informational meeting this Saturday, March 14, 1 - 2:30 pm at the Great Falls Discovery Center. 

Stone Wall Complex - Kingfield ME

From reader Sue K (email, after removing spaces,  swbl_canuk @ yahoo.com)

This summer while killing time as my husband was completing the Appalachian Trail,  I was walking on a dirt road as noticed very old stone walls. Some had lg boulders , strange pits and the walls seem too big & long to be homesteads or just land clearings. The area is heavily wooded but near the dirt road. There was mostly woods for a lg area, as you can see from Google Earth.
If anyone is ever near this area  & have any insight I'd love to hear about them.

Directions: Take #16 SE of Kingfield, ME -approx. 5-6 miles. Turn Rt onto Airport Rd  go about 1/4 mile & rt on Millay Hill Rd.
I had parked here  at intersection & walked west about 1/2mile on Millay Hill Rd.,when I saw the walls on the south (left) side.
This should be close to spot. They are visible from road--higher up by 6feet+ than road. No signage noted regarding trespassing.
Lat: 44.923469
Long-70.061432

PS--the airstrip located near there was closed as of summer of 2014. I'm a private pilot so that is that drew me to that road.

[Any information about this site, from other readers, would be welcome - PWAX]

"Oldest" stone tool in US

(Not rock pile related) An unequivocal date for an unequivocal stone tool. [Click here]

NEARA SPRING CONFERENCE 2015

NEARA SPRING 2015 CONFERENCE, scheduled for April 24th - 26th at 

the Quality Inns & Suites in Kingston, NY.

Full Program PDF - Click here

ONLINE Conference Registration - Click here to register now!

Invited speakers include :

Michael Gramly - President The American Society for Amateur Archaeology 

David Johnson - Past President Orange County Chapter of the NYS Archaeological Association

Matt Bau - Artist/Author/Director - The Stone Symposium

Donald Aubrey - Land Surveyor and Native American researcher

David Schewe - School teacher and NY Native American site researcher

Laurie Rush - Cultural Resource Manager - Fort Drum, NY

Plus much more including: Fri. & Sun. Field Trips, Exhibits, Book Sales, Members Banquet and Raffle!

Spirit Walls - Northern California

Alyssa RunswithWolves

“In the low lands there are some "pioneer walls" which are clearly different. "Spirit Walls" have a totally different style and feel to them. There's a magic, a playfulness or deliberate beauty worked into them. They have a certain "intention."  

Mt. Shasta in the distance:

Earthen Mounds and Other Sites - from Matt Howes

... I wanted to provide some pictures of the Earthen Mound sites and other related sites in Holliston that I did not get a chance to show people....Some of the mounds are smaller and clustered together, some are larger, and some appear to be capped-off with stone cairns:

Pt 1-

  http://www.nativenewenglandstones.blogspot.com/2014/10/earthen-mounds-in-area.html

Pt 2-

  http://www.nativenewenglandstones.blogspot.com/2014/10/earthen-mound-site-part-2.html

Pt 3- 

http://www.nativenewenglandstones.blogspot.com/2014/11/earthen-mound-site-pt-3.html

Pt 4-

http://www.nativenewenglandstones.blogspot.com/2014/11/earthen-mound-site-pt-4.html

Pt 5-

http://www.nativenewenglandstones.blogspot.com/2014/11/earthen-mound-site-part-5.html

[See more new sites at Native Stones.]

Nolumbeka Calendar

Wee Bit of Green (California Rock Walls)

     Out in Northern California and Oregon, it was just the warmest February on record. My friend Alyssa has been walking along rows of stones that some Elders call Spirit Paths which lead up into some High Places - and taking photos. The one above is quite near what she calls Pyramid Peak which has appeared on these pages (see: http://rockpiles.blogspot.com/2012/01/photos-to-compare.html or at Waking Up on Turtle Island - http://wakinguponturtleisland.blogspot.com/2012/02/following-smokefish-forests-fire-and.html ) before, as in the image below: 

   More green:

 

And I have to include this from a different spot (Howling Wolf Ridge):