Speakers of Ohlone dialects occupied the lands encompassed by Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and San Francisco Counties. One Ohlone triblet, the Carquin, occupied lands on the north shore of the Carquinez Strait in Solano County and probably in the southern part of Napa County.
Alviso Adobe38 cupule rock.In 1850 Augustin Bernal constructed his adobe, which still stands, near this cupule rock about a mile south of the Alviso adobe of Rancho Santa Rita. Today, some maps call this site “Alviso Adobe,” but the National Register of Historic of Historic Places lists it as “Bernal Adobe.”The location of Bernal Adobe […]
Chitactac75 bedrock mortars and a petroglyphBay Area Rock Art Research Association (BARARA) members view the restored village site.Remember: Stay on the pathway and no daylighting!
Hill 14244 bedrock mortars, partial stacked rock rectangle, and other rock alignments.This site is named for its elevation, which is marked on the topographic map that covers Walpert Ridge.There’s a rockwall enclosure here, although it’s hard to make out in places. Perhaps some of it has been removed or buried.This prayer circle is nearby. Bob […]
Miller’s Creek3 bedrock mortarsThere’s a lot of up and down hiking from Lake Del Valle to Murietta Falls. Miller’s Creek is about halfway there. It flows down in the depths of Williams Gulch.Bob leans against the bedrock mortar rock beside Miller’s Creek.
Possible PCNElevation 1045 ft.Most pecked, curvilinear, nucleated rock art elements we’ve encountered occur on schist. This one, if it is one, occurs on sandstone.Heather and Jim inspect the possible PCN. Near this rock lies another flat-topped rock with several large, shallow basins on it..
South Vargas Plateau3 bedrock mortars.Elevation 1150 ft.A real power spot. Fabulous views. Mission Peak and Upper Alameda Creek in background.One should secure permission before visiting this site.
Upper Fetus5 bedrock mortarsElevation 985 ft.Access to this site is strictly controlled. Call LARPD at (925) 373-5707 for details.The rock that gave birth to Wek-wek (Prairie Falcon man).A closer look at the fetus.A Golden Eagle keeps an eye on us.
Windmill Overlook, Lower20 bedrock mortars and several housepits spread along the base of a rock ledge.Elevation 1355 ft.Looking out on the Livermore Valley.Afternoon shadows creep across the land as Bob walks below the rock ledge.A two-mortar rock. Note the elliptical upper section of the funnel mortar.Photograph by Bob Bardell.
Below McClure Springs75 yard long rock alignment overlooking the South Bay.Elevation 1908 ft.Some of the rock alignments in the Mission Peak area are probably natural formations. Others are clearly man-made. We believe this alignment is a member of the latter class.A close look at the stacked rocks.
Circle of Circles1 bedrock mortar and 8 rock circlesElevation 618 ft.Thanks to our master site-finder for directing us here.We believe this is a likely ceremonial site. Archaeological evidence suggests it is 6,000 years old.The Circle of Circles occupies the top of this small hill.Photograph by Bob Bardell.One of the circles.Another circle.The bedrock mortar.Photograph by Bob […]
