Is this a Native American pestle/grinding stone?
Is this a Native American pestle/grinding stone?
Found this halfway down a rock slope in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. It's relatively flat, about 15" wide overall. The circular indentation appears to be perfectly round. I'm wondering if there is a natural cause for this - erosion or some geological process when the rock was formed that would cause a circular depression.
Re: Is this a Native American pestle/grinding stone?
I've seen similar features in streambeds, where a rock gets caught in a swirling eddy, and drills a "pothole." Can't imagine that happening on the side of a volcano, though! Sea urchins also drill into rocks, making circular depressions. Again, not usually on a volcano (or that large!).Mossy wrote:I'm wondering if there is a natural cause for this - erosion or some geological process when the rock was formed that would cause a circular depression.
Karl
Back on the trail, again...
Back on the trail, again...
Re: Is this a Native American pestle/grinding stone?
From your photo, I surmise it was just among other rocks. If it was a tool/implement used by natives, one might expect it to be near an area that looks more habitable. Anyway, cool find, and I'd be curious too if I encountered that.