Mid-Walpert Village32 bedrock mortars, rock wall alignments, numerous cupules and grinding slicks.A low, stacked-rock rectangle on a slope just below the crest of Walpert Ridge dominates this site. Could it have been a sheepherder’s corral? What, for paralyzed sheep? So who would have stacked these rocks if not the Yrgin residents of the small village […]
Upper Palomares CanyonOne bedrock mortarElevation 1450 feetThis rock sits below a spring box, which itself lies directly below the Rockwall to Campsite site. The mortar is a no-doubt-about-it cone six inches wide and six inches deep.One should secure permission before visiting this site.
North Knoll, Chinese Tree of Heaven12 bedrock mortars, probable housepitsA crudely stacked rock wall protects a small campsite.One should secure permission before visiting this site.
Upper San Leandro Reservoir8 bedrock mortars, 3-5 cupules. Site may be underwater.This is a beautiful spot now because of the Upper San Leandro Reservoir, but it was probably nice in Jalquin times too. Back then these mortars were on a little hillside terrace above Kaiser Creek, a perennial watercourse. How many mortars here and how […]
North Vargas Plateau1 bedrock mortar and 1 portable mortarPossible adjoining prayer seat.Elevation 1150 ft.A reader of Native American Indian Sites in the East Bay Hills turned us on to this site. Keep those emails coming folks.In the distance: Alameda Creek catchment basin, Coyote Hills, the Peninsula.A closeup of the pestle. The discoloration probably isn’t paint, […]
Upper Welch Creek Road5 bedrock mortars and 15 cupules, three on a secondary rock.Elevation 2180 ft.Thanks to Bill and Lou for turning us on to this site.The headwaters of Indian Joe Creek rise right across the road.This is one of our few drive up (or pedal up) sites.A closer look at some of the cupules […]
Prayer RidgePossible TsektselElevation 1651 ft.Looking toward the possible tsektsel.A closer look. Note the stacked rocks.Photograph by James Benney.Follow this path to gain entry to the possible tsektsel.This is an almost complete circular enclosure. It contains a smaller stone ring as well.This site is on private property. One should secure permission before visiting it.Photographs by Bob […]
Williams Gulch2 bedrock mortars and 2 cupulesElevation 1369 ft.Jeff has a way of finding bedrock mortar rocks in remote locations.The mortar rock here sits on a little shelf above Miller’s Creek.Another view of the mortar rock.A closeup of the rockPrevious two photographs by Jeff Green.This site is on private property. Secure permission before visiting it.
Rockwall to Campsite8 bedrock mortars and grinding slick.What’s the function of this wall? A section line? Not likely. Why is it aligned with a Yrgin camp and a spring?Another view of the wall.Photograph by Bob BardellTake time to find all the mortars here and enjoy the ambience of this site. It’s cool in the summer, […]
Ryan’s Hideaway24 bedrock mortars.This site is named in honor of Ryan the Cowboy, who has kicked us off the ridge several times when we accidentally strayed onto private property.Being tucked away in a little hollow amid sheltering trees gives this site a “hideaway” feel. Look for more mortars on and around the little hill that […]
