It has been some time since I've been able to sit down and update this blog. The unusually warm and dry weather has made outdoor exploration much easier this year and we have taken full advantage of it. Here in New England you work with  the weather when you can, and it's been possible to get deep into the woods right thru the fall and for most of the winter. One of the benefits of this is I've been able to widen the search area for the mortar stone I've been seeking to find again, first having been to it over 35 years ago. During one recent foray into adjacent areas I came across an area of several glacial outcroppings. The photograph below is of one such area. Initially the 'balanced rock' and apparent stratification of the supporting area caught my eye from a few hundred feet away. I have to admit I did not notice the bird-like effigy or stonework visible on the left. (For a high-resolution view of the photographs on this site you can left click and view image in Firefox, you may have to save it and view if you use Internet Explorer).

As I explored this specific location, I found many other geologic curiousities and perhaps signs of manipulation of them. The questions of course are...are they mere natural anomalies of this landscape or are have they been observed, used and enhanced by past generations. There is some evidence for coming to the latter conclusion.
I have yet to publish most of the photographs and research I have in support of that conclusion for many reasons. Some of the photographs are startling.  Indeed, I still need to convince myself that all I have seen is what it seems. More work and research needs to be done. I still wish to find again the location of the ancient mortar stone, which really looks like no other mortar stone I have come across and is proof positive of the areas habitation. That stone is what set off my quest, perhaps finding it again will be what brings it to a conclusion, in both ways, that of my personal journey and tying together the amazing things that can be found on the long forgotten forest paths and ancient hills and valleys of New England.



 
Balanced Rock with Bird Effigy

As I mentioned, the bird effigy in the wide shot above did not catch my attention when I was at the site,  I was intent on exploring the oddity of the balanced rock. Upon inspection it appeared to have been moved in place. No blocks or chunks that  had fallen away were evident beneath it. Below is a close-up shot. It itself has some apparent design. It is obviously not the 'classic' balanced boulder where a much larger one resting on a smaller one. This one seems to be resting at the tipping point.

Balanced Boulder


These boulders rest on mound which is part of a wide ridge. There are many glacial erratics in an immense boulder field. To the rear of the above pictured  boulders is another. As I made way to the top of the mound, expored a bit and poked around I took a few steps down the other side and much to my surprise saw what appeared to be a  natural rock shelter.


Rock Shelter


The rock shelter is big enough for 5 or 6 people, more of course, if it was enlarged with available forest material. Even more exciting than discovering it was what I found as looked closer. There I found a clue perhaps to the sought after mortar stone. At the base of the boulder, sheltered from seasons of weather, something that looked like a stone implement.



Inside Rock Shelter - An implement, perhaps a pestal, rests at the base


I left the pestal in place, not even touching it. Why? I can't say exactly. Upon closer examination it definitely looked liked a pestal, but as I was on my hands and knees I noticed a porcupine den about four feet to my left and porcupine scat was everywhere. Darkness was falling, I still had a long hike back to my transportation and felt the remoteness of the site would protect it for the time being. (Yes, I know porcupines can't 'shoot' their quills, but I had visions of taking tumble during a chance encounter on the rocks!)