Laurel Hill Walks

Stone Cabin - Lower Yoder

2012-01-30T21:26:00.002-05:00

A possible stone chamber - known as the 'stone cabin' in Lower Yoder Township. As luck would have it - it's a site first brought to my attention by Norman Mueller and Kathy at http://twoheadwaters.blogspot.com/. I missed it - in my own neck of the woods. And in a strange twist a reader at my sister site Vintage Johnstown sent in these two pictures of her dad at the structure in the 1980's.
The story goes that it is a hunting cabin used for decades. It's been on my list to search for alot of reasons - but the main one is that the location of this structure lines up with some large rock mounds - a few of miles away. I would like to thank Kathy at twoheadwaters for pointing this out to me. This used to be a popular GPS cache spot till the neighbors started complaining.

Evans Hill Area - Part 4

2012-01-21T13:56:00.004-05:00

Part 4 and a wrap up of my visit to Evans Hill. I am now going to head to the area of the woods directly behind where I am standing - where I last left off HERE.

These two things caught my eye. One is a short, rectangle like, stump of a wall like thing - more cigar shaped than anything else and the other is a circular mound that looks burial to me.

This example is exactly the same as the type I've found elsewhere.

This possible structure right by it - on the other hand - I'm not very sure of. Could be field clearing - but to me - it does look like a long rockpile - it does have some age to it.

As far as you eye can see - more rock on rock.

And small rockpiles.

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Now heading back out to the car - a different way than where we walked in and in the words of my 7 year old nephew - "what a beautiful view" - I have to agree - with a nice rock on rock example pointing the way.

Nice size cairn that shows its age.

Another mess of a cairn.

Back to back cairns - I've posted example of these structures before.

Trying my best to show them both in one shot.

Closeup of the cairn on the upper left of the previous picture. See that triangle stone - it points north - according to my GPS.

RJ proudly showing off his coyote skull he found there.

Another mess of a cairn.

From the other side.

Another rockpile

This one and this next example.

All in all - this site is alot to take in. When we were almost done walking around - one of the homeowners (who is nice to us) stopped to talk. He owns the land where THIS GRINDING STONE is. I was asking him about his property - because I'd spotted lots more rockpiles and a wall that shows some age. He told me - the wall was there before him as were some of the rockpiles - but not all though. He said he'd made some of them clearing his backyard.

Wrapping up this long, four part series...there are more walls and rockpiles out there that next time I go out I will get some shots of - once the snow melts that is. My opinion of the site hasn't changed the more I explore the area. I believe it was once held as a very sacred and ceremonial place - more so than most of your average sites. I believe that the area now destroyed by the strip mine - most likely was like this section - full of rock on rock and small rockpiles.

Evans Hill Area - Part 3

2012-01-15T19:59:00.005-05:00

Out of the woods and back to the field full of very large - round rockpiles. RJ is about to check out this rockpile - which I believe is field clearing with an older - round rockpile in the distance.

This is one of those rockpiles that shows up in the 1939 aerial shot. But like I said - looks like field clearing. Though having said that - it is built up on the bottom like the others - I guess someone could have dumped these larger stones on top. But I really don't think so.

This is a shot of the large rockpile that was in the distance. Off to the left hand side (not shown on this picture) was this...

Is this possible rock mound - but I didn't get a chance to check this possible structure out better - just off in the woods.

Another rockpile in the field - made up of larger stone - which again looks more like field clearing. But it looks like there might be something off in the distance - that I didn't have time to follow up on.

Another rockpile - with the previous pile behind it - this is hard to tell - considering the size of the tree growing out of it. But I do think it's more likely to be field clearing.

But now we're heading to a section that I do believe are structures of very large size. See what I mean about bigger stone on the outside and smaller used in the middle.

Some of these larger rockpiles are built up higher on one side - actually they are all built up (like a ramp) on the same side of each of these.

And again - it looks like a possible manitou stone in the upper left hand side.

Another rockpile - but first - before I talk about this one - there is another rockpile underneath where that tree fell in the distance. But I didn't get a chance to get any shots of it.

This stone is actuallly wedged in there pretty good - with what looks like some stray bullet damage.

The center of the structure.

This is another rockpile - note the 'ramp'.

RJ heading to the ramp.

It's built up more like a small wall - with the mound off in the distance.

Another rockpile in the same area - that looks like field clearing to me.

The thing is just a mess.

RJ off to check out another of the rockpiles.

Again - larger stone on the outer ring - smaller towards the center.

Evans Hill Area - Part 2

2012-01-13T16:22:00.002-05:00

Part Two - from my trip to Evans Hill in Indiana County. This is the first of the very large, round, angled up rockpiles there. This is number 5 on the map.

This is 2012

And this is the same area back in 1939. Pile number 5 is in the middle of the red circle. I honestly can't help but feel that those rockpiles are meant to be viewed from either the ground to the mound or even better yet form a constellation - I have been going thru some - but haven't come up with a match yet. But my hunch is that if you are on the rockpiles themselves - I wonder what the night sky looks like directly above them during different times of the year. The areas circled in blue look like they had rockpiles in 1939 - but I didn't get chance to follow up in those areas.

This is the rockpile that has been re-worked as I have stated in previous posts. I believe that the manitou stone in the center came from the outside of the ring of stone. It was set up like the manitou like stone in the front here - the other piles show this same kind of stonework feature. Bigger stone on the outside and smaller in the center.

I'm heading now to the lefthand side of the woods.

This is the section that contains some very large stone ringlike structures with the mound off in the distance.

Some of these shots didn't turn out very good. For one thing - they look better in person and two - they are just too large. Looks like at least one or two possible standing stones.

Another stone circle-like area.

Another feature hard to see in a photo - what you are looking at is one of a couple of semi-circle earthen rings that are sprinkled thru out this section.

Another one that is hard to see.

Another circle of stone with what looks like a "tail" on the left hand side.

And another ring of stone - I know that's hard to really see - but on site - these structures just pop out of the landscape.

Evans Hill Area - Part 1

2012-01-09T21:30:00.000-05:00

Spent some quality time exploring the woods all around the Evans Hill Mound. And everytime I go - I am even more convinced this site is Native American and a Solar Calender. But the problem lies in not being able to search the site in gridlike patterns - that I like to do. As I have said before - the locals are none too friendly. And there were three of us - my little nephew and reader Bill Carney. So whenever I go out there - I always feel like this time - I'll be arrested. I'm not used to that. On my side of the Laurel Mountains - no one ever bothers me - which is the way I like it. But enough complaining. And on a more positive note - on to my visit:

Imagine the area around the mound in the shape of the letter U. The mound would be at the top and this area would be the back, bottom left of the U. Walking into the woods from the strip mine road (remember the strip mine is behind this site) . These simple, multiple rockpiles and rock on rocks greet you. There are actually seven of these types in this shot.

Some are large and some of smaller along with some following in lines to each other.

Little RJ taking his measurements of this nice, simple rock on rock.

A semi-oval rockpile with the strip mine in the distance. The ever expanding strip mine has already destroyed a lot.

More rock on rock - besides being timbered in the past.

It's probably hard to tell from this shot - but this rockpile is oval and shows it's age.

Three rockpiles here.

The next couple of pictures shows different angles of this possible structure. I'm not entirely convinced this is something. But having said that. It is a rockpile - shaped like a cigar - it's those two rocks tipped together that are interesting. Looking through the opening - you can just barely see THIS ROCK SHELTER.

And this makes it even more interesting with two possible manitou stones touching - surrounded by a circle of rock which is on top of a small low to the ground boulder.

Another closer look

This is the view looking out the opposite direction

This rock on rock reminds of a bird effigy

A cairn showing it's age

Just out of the woods with the mound and larger rockpiles in the distance.

Evans Hill Mound - Winter Solstice - Background Information

2011-12-31T15:31:00.048-05:00

This is an image of the area we have been studying from 1930 courtesy of http://www.pennpilot.psu.edu/. Thought I'd take the time to recap some of the discoveries we have been making into one complete post. I've circled the mound at Evans Hill - the arrow is pointing to one group of rockpiles (there are many more rockpiles there) and the area circled inside APX is where THIS ROCK SHELTER is located along with more rockpiles and two sets of walls.

This is a shot from the rock shelter - the shelter also has a unique feature - two grinding holes on the roof.

And this is the Evans Hill mound as seen from what's left of the rock shelter. To recap some of what Reader Bill Carney and myself have been discovering - first off in the area near the rock shelter:

Rockpiles of this type - low to the ground - but slightly built up

Cairns - in this example - turtlelike - there are many more structures in the area - that I could see - but we just didn't have the time to investigate.

And two sets of walls - this is the first shorter with bigger stone. Now there used to be a farm there - the walls most likely probably date from then. At least I think this one does...

But this one which is longer - looks to me to be a bit on the older side and it's built to withstand the wind - I have a feeling this wall might pre-date the farm. For more on this area CLICK HERE. Now on to the area getting closer to the mound.

Cairns such as this example - the whole area within at least a quarter mile is loaded with possible structures.

Along with this beautiful grinding stone - when we stopped at the home of the owner of this land - his yard had more possible cairns - but I felt kind of funny about taking pictures there. So at this point - we have a rock shelter, many rockpiles and cairns and two sets of walls - that we have found so far. Now onto the mound in question.

You can see two piles in this shot and what looks like a possible manitou stone. To help give you an understanding of the area - so far we have found structures to the left, middle and righthand sides of this photo along with assorted arrowheads. The pile in the foreground looks promising - CLICK HERE for the video Bill shot....but unfortunately....

When the snow melted this rockpile as you can see has been reworked into a shooting target - so it's impossible to tell how this possible manitou might have been placed or used within this rockpile.

The following three images of the site is courtesy of Kathy K - she runs twoheadwaters.blogspot.com and these Google Earth images were written up on a post about the site CLICK HERE at rockpiles.blogspot.com.

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In regards to this Google Earth shot Kathy says "I don't think Google Earth accounts for the tree line. I also think the accuracy of Google Earth is distorted because the image comes out as if you are floating about 10 feet off the ground (this is a rough guess based on USGS topo compared to the Google Earth image altitude). First hand accounts are, of course, much better than simulations, but I find it's great for looking at sites in a general sense. It also keeps me looking at the horizon whenever I'm at a site, even if it's not clearly visible from a structure, I try to move around until I can see the horizon and take a picture."
Now this is an actual shot of the sunset

I'd asked Bill - if he had a chance to head out to the site last week for the Winter Solstice - to see if maybe on the off chance the area might be set up as a "calender" marking the change of seasons. This is what the setting sun looked like on 12-24. Interesting - but this theory of mine could very well be why this site is set up the way it is - but does need alot more investigation to prove and how the rockpiles might lineup and track the skies. CLICK HERE for more video Bill shot of this section. Here are some stills of a couple of more circlelike rockpiles found there:

Circle 1 - the mound is just beyond those trees

Circle 2

Circle 3

Circle 4

And circle 5 - but hold on to your hat - it gets even better - we also have the following even closer to the mound:

More rockpiles

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this one looks like it might have a possible hollow

and if these rockpiles aren't enough....I also have the following for you:

A bunch of these smaller type rockpiles and for dessert

this nice little split-wedge example to nibble on.

This site holds such great promise - and it's going to be a project to mark the exact GPS of all the structures involved - and that's going to take some time - but that's the way it is - and we have searched only some sections quickly - there is a vast area yet to be explored - and we are on a deadline for certain areas because the strip mine located there is expanding - there is also a Marcellus Gas Well in an area a couple of miles behind the mound. But when it comes to taking shots of the mound itself - so far we have been unable to convince the landowner to let us on the actual mound. In fact we got booted off - none too nicely when we asked - and we were very polite about it.

This site is driving me crazy because I am thinking about it all the time - because with hunting season and my shift and the occassional snow - it just hasn't been in cards for me to spend quality time there.

Evans Hill Area

2011-12-20T21:46:00.002-05:00

Reader Bill Carney has more pictures from the Evans Hill Area in Indiana County - mound and rock structures. On the other side of the mound - is the spot where we got tossed out - none too politely. The rockpile in the foreground - looks like a maintou stone lining up to the rockpile in the distance that also looks like it has a manitou stone.

This area also contains grinding stones, more rockpiles and a rock shelter besides some points found in the surrounding fields. The biggest danger to this whole area though - is from the nearby strip mine. I can't wait to head back out here exploring. It absolutely fascinates me! Bill also sent in a couple of pictures to rockpiles.blogspot.com and CLICK HERE to read that post.

Possible Burial Mound - Lower Yoder

2011-12-20T21:28:00.001-05:00

Took my little nephew out to teach him about tracking deer and ran across this nice size rock mound in Lower Yoder. I was busy teaching him about staying safe in the woods - so I didn't really spend alot of time checking this structure out. Except for the fact that it is made up of stone.

There are a couple of others in the same area - last seen HERE. And they look exactly like the ones off of Decker Avenue.

Lower Yoder Cairns

2011-12-11T18:35:00.001-05:00

With too much snow on the top of the mountain and deer season wrapping up. I decided to head to a safe zone and for the first time ever - took my little 7 year old nephew RJ with me to explore a patch of woods - he might possibly be standing on a large mound - but I think it's most likely just simple glacier debris. I have to get better pictures of this one.

Ran across alot of different features - trouble is - some are very hard to make out. Spotted this very nice rock on rock.

I'm hoping I can get him interested in this hobby.

The top stones sort of remind me of a birds head as does the side view.

This is as clear as it will get - because when you walk around to the other side - the large amount of debris makes it hard to see.

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See what I mean - this is the mess that greets you behind the structure. It's hard to tell from this picture - but there are other small stones in between the blanket of debris.

Off to the left of middle - a very rare piece of quartz. I can count on my hand as many times as I have ever run across quartz. Maybe they just didn't use it much or didn't have it available - either way - it's rare in my section of Pennsylvania.

This is behind it.

Spotted a couple of simplier rock on rock structures. Without cleaning it off - it feel's like there are more stones underneath the debris.

Another - that the front sort of resembles a turtle.

From behind

Another simple rock on rock

Another

And another

All in all - I will be going back to explore this area further. And RJ had a great time - even brought home some chunks of slate - showed him how to break it apart to look for fossils - which is now his new hobby.

Laurel Ridge Rockpiles

2011-12-04T22:14:00.003-05:00

With hunters all over the place - I headed to what I thought was a safe site - since it's listed as an Orange Zone Area. Did see one guy illegally hunting - I had orange on and I'd hardly be mistaken for a deer - bear yes...deer no. Spotted what's left of this beauty.

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What's left of this tree - did all this damage.

Moving on - while standing here - I spotted this:

I know it's hard to tell from this shot - but this is a nice - low to the ground rockpile.

I stood on it and could feel the stones underneath my feet.

This large tree is growing out of a rockpile. Larger - yet still low to the ground rockpile. Again, I tested all the way around - and there are stones underneath those leaves.

Another low to the ground rockpile with a hollow. But since there are other piles damaged by trees - that could also be what caused this hollow.

Another angle of the same rockpile.

Heading over a short distance to my favorite tree. This 300+ year old Lady of the Forest and what is underneath have fascinated me for the last couple of years. This is situated on a gentle slope.

A beautiful, small standing stone and on the right hand side of the picture - what looks like alot of flint-knapping debris.

I rarely disturb anything - but I have dug down into this area - and this debris goes down at least a foot. Strange thing is - there is no outcrops of black slate in this section of the mountain.

There is also some lighter shades of slate - sprinkled around.

Low to the ground rockpile.

Along with a little rock on rock action.

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Heading out - and this is yet another large - 300+ year old tree - that has managde to not be chopped down.

Tremont Rockpiles

2011-12-01T15:17:00.003-05:00

These couple of rockpiles are on the hillside above my house. This first picture might be kind of hard to make out. Shooting low, leaf covered rockpiles can be kind of tricky. In fact there are at least 5 rockpiles in this area - but only two piles look good on camera.

Came upon this larger one - the rockpiles on this side of the mountain are made up of smaller stones - since the larger ones are not available.

A closeup and better look - it's a very nice size.

A very nice vista view - St. Clair Road would be down the bottom of the hillside.

Going up higher - ran across this cairn.

Another rockpile right by the cairn.

And another smaller one.

Another Indiana County Rock Shelter

2011-11-26T20:54:00.005-05:00

Off on the adventure of checking out a very interesting rock shelter in Indiana County. Also along with me is reader Bill Carney (in the red) and Native American Expert Butch Laney.

This shot was taken by Bill to help give you a scale of one of the few things left - in fact - it's more like a race against time. As you will be reading - because the operation is expanding and structures are about to be destroyed.

Bill found this shelter located on top of an island in the middle of an ongoing strip mine operation. The work crew is actually protecting the site.

But trouble is - the after effects of blasting surrounding the structure has damaged some of it. Including a rock fallen rock outcrop that was once part of the roof.

Bill took this shot of Butch as they were waiting for me since I was taking up the rear - my motto - slow but steady. You can just barely make out some of the roof damage directly behind Butch.

Butch surveying the damage - pay attention to the top - right hand side - right above his head - there are actually two grinding holes - and pay close attention to how the rock is shaped so the excess can just roll off. You will be seeing some closeups coming up.

There are scorch marks all around the structure and Butch seems to feel that many years ago - a heck of a fire went thru there.

As you can see - it's a mess in there from falling debris - but looks like a couple possible stone tools scattered around.

The shelter is large enough for a couple of people.

Hard to tell from this shot - but somebody was poking around in this covered up hole.

There is also this stone on the floor - could be natural or maybe not - I completely forgot to show this to Butch - if not natural - it looks like it could have been used as a sharpener.

I know it's hard to tell from this picture - but there is a couple of more possible shelters in all this mess - but that is for another day.

There is a hell of a view - from all sides. That knoll way off in the distance fascinates me. I will be showing more pictures of it coming up.

The mountain I call home - is way off in the distance.

Along the left side is this passage way to the top and the other side of the structure.

Bill and Butch at the top (roof) looking at the two grinding holes.

The two grinding stones with that knoll again in the distance.

We always try not to have to touch anything - but they did clean out the holes - before replacing the debris that had built up.

Bill took this closeup of one of the grinding holes - it's easy to get up there. As you can see - it's a bowl within a bowl.

Butch at the grinding hole looking down into what reminds me of a rainspout feature. This looks natural which makes me believe they chose where to put the holes because of this feature. Bill has theory that the holes may have been used to collect water.

Butch thinks the holes were strickly for grinding. Everything all around the site is completely destroyed. So it's hard to tell if there would have been any springs around. CLICK HERE to see a very large grinding stone just down the road from this site.

You can see what clearly looks like another possible shelter.

Stones like these - (that first one looks like a turtle to me) shoved in all over the place. And speaking of turtles - coming up - more on a turtle shaped cairn.

Simple but beautiful.

Heading back down after only exploring the front section.

I took the time to take a couple more shots of the knoll. Bill first sent me a picture of this couple of weeks ago - and I told him at the time - I think there is a mound on top. It looks exactly like the Mound in Westmont - CLICK HERE.

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Just thru the tree's - you can barely make out the traces of a mound.

But now back to more important things. Bill mentioned two stone walls on the outskirts - that will soon be completely destroyed due to mine activity.

Nice simple rockpile spotted along the way.

Also saw this cairn that looks slightly disturbed - but note where the arrow is - I didn't notice this headlike feature on site - but sort of reminds me of a snapping turtle.

Checking it out from the front though - it's the possible manitou like stone and triangle rock that got my attention. But heading to the other side...

Now this really looks like two turtles sticking out their heads. Guess I should have walked around to the back of it.

Hitting the first stone wall - the rock shelter we just left would be above this clearing to the right. Bill said this chunk of land was a farm from the 1830's to the 1930's.

After a stop here - heading to the second wall.

Bill leading the way - walking this whole section - I spotted even more rockpiles on my left hand side all along the way to this clearing - which will be explored another day.

The second wall - functional and not fancy - but still a work of art.

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Time to head back around to the car.

The rock shelter is actually located behind this open pit mine.

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Three species of visitors - us, deer and coyote.

And finally I leave you with this lonely cairn - spotted on the way out.

Sunken Hollow Rockpile

2011-11-24T18:56:00.001-05:00

This sunken hollow rockpile is located near the transmitter site in Lower Yoder Township - the hollow is far too large to have been carved out by a tree. In a kind of way - it reminds me of a turtle - with the "head" on the upper right hand side of the picture.

Rockpile with Triangle Standing Stone

2011-11-21T22:01:00.000-05:00

This rockpile shows its age....

and this small Triangle shaped standing stone is located a couple of feet way.

And the back of this stone - has the same look as some of the other standing stones on this side of Lower Yoder and the ridgeline.

Double Cairn - Evans Hill

2011-11-18T18:35:00.002-05:00

Very interesting double rock on rock - two boulders - oddly shaped at a slant - up top Evans Hill. Reader Bill Carney sent in this picture of the site - there are also a few small rockpiles in the same section that follow in a pattern. And even one in this shot - it's a rock on rock on the upper right hand side. This structure is simply a work of art to me - it's just beautiful.

Nice Rock on Rock/Split Wedged

2011-11-17T21:43:00.001-05:00

Reader Bill Carney sent in this very nice example of a rock on rock/split wedge from out his way in Evans Hill.

Grinding Stone - Indiana County

2011-11-14T19:27:00.001-05:00

This is Native American Guide - Butch Laney showing just how large this Native American Grinding Stone is. This site is in Indiana County and only a couple of miles away from the previous post about the Rock Shelter.

This stone is a pure work of beauty and you have to take the time to appreciate just how many generations and years it took. Native American women on their hands and knees - grinding acorns and chestnuts - doing the best they could - staying one step ahead of starvation even in the best of years.

It's at least a foot in depth and well over two feet in width.

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Along with Butch that is reader Bill Carney in the red.

There is also a small stone on the bottom left of the boulder that was used as a stepping stone. Standing on it - you can feel more stones underneath your feet.

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I took more pictures at this site - but for some reason - they all didn't all turn out.

Searching around the site quickly - becuase we had another stop to make. Found a couple of rockpiles of this type. What should prove even more interesting - is the fact that when we stopped to ask the owner of the property permission to walk down to the stone. Looking around part of his yard - it's scattered with rockpiles. But I felt uncomfortable taking pictures while Butch was talking to him. But someday - I'd like to return to the site - because I truly think it has more features to be discovered.

Rock Shelter - Indiana County

2011-11-06T21:32:00.000-05:00

Spent the day exploring the woods of Indiana County - with Bill Carney (who found this shelter) and Indian Expert Butch Laney. This picture was taken by Bill.

There they are with the shelter behind them.

The scale of this structure is very misleading from my photo - because at it's highest point - the inside height hits about 10 feet.

From a slightly different angle with the sapling out of the way. There are drill marks on the right hand side wall which is one of three interesting features.

I should have knocked the flash off - but sometimes I forget about the tech end of things because I get so excited. The school of thought is that this might represent Orion the Hunter. Also note two things - there is an outline of a red arrow on the bottom hole along with what looks like green coloring in sections. Now it could simply be a case of algae buildup for the green - but how to you explain the red arrow. I can even compare it (this is my photo)

And this is Bill's - two different camera's - same red arrow.

Closeup - so is it natural or made by man? You be the judge.

We cleaned one hole out

Sorry - the close up is a bit on the soft side.

Following along on the inside - at shot of a section of roof - small rocks jammed in around the top and there is a small hallway type space - that you can just barely make out on the right hand side.

A section of wall - right before the hallway

Looking inside the hallway. It's small in terms of our modern age - but if I was skinnier - I would have had no problem squeezing in there.

Debris litters the floor - some of it looks like possible artifacts to me

The backend of the hallway

Closeup - some of the stones look worked to fit perfectly together

More debris and possible artifacts

Taking a look at the second interesting feature. This section of the roof slab has tally marks.

Another look - what's really strange is that some are carved into the rock - while others are carved out of the rock

As you can see from one of Bill's shots - the marks go both in and out

There are also bits of fossil in the stone here and there - but some almost look like they could be carvings instead

Another section of the ceiling

Now to the third interesting feature - this space at the end - it's not the space itself but what's behind it on the other end - but before we head there

A shot of some of the debris in this section - again some of it looks like possible artifacts to me

This rainspout like feature directly behind the opening is pure genius

Looks to me that if it was a light rain - some of the water would indeed go into the hole

But the runoff from a major thunderstorm would simply shoot past the hole - keeping everyone inside dry

This is the back end of it - over 35 feet up at this point - looks like a manitou stone poking out

This is located on the backend of the structure

There are also a set of holes in this area

Closeup

This is Blacklick Creek and the rock shelter and a few more possible shelters are located high above this ravine

On the way out - I spotted this simple rock on rock. I know there is more to be found in this area - trouble is - it's very rough terrain - considering it's chocked full of glacier debris and climbing sides of ravines is mighty hard work. But I'm sure there will be more discoveries coming out of this area of Indiana County.

Rockpile - Hollow Center

2011-10-27T19:12:00.000-04:00

It's probably hard to judge from this picture - low to the ground rockpile with a hollow center. The stone in front looks like a possible manitou stone to me.

Possible Solstice Site

2011-10-25T21:25:00.000-04:00

http://www.clarkedailynews.com/archaeologist-claims-12000-year-old-solstice-site-in-clarke-county/25889

Half Buried Rockpile

2011-10-25T21:10:00.003-04:00

It's probably hard to see - but this rockpile really shows its age - but it's the rectangle like rock in the upper right hand corner that interests me. At this site - that 'type' seems to be used quite a bit. Also note the two rocks in front - a notched stone along with what appears to ne a manitou stone to me.

Rockpile - Triangle and Hollow

2011-10-16T21:25:00.000-04:00

My rockpile season has finally begun again. Got out for a couple of hours - some spots I wanted to search - the grass and weeds are to high to walk thru considering it's still warm - I even spotted a dead copperhead last week. So better safe than sorry. Found this small structure.

Judging from the looks of it - I'd say - hollow-like center built that way on purpose. It has an interesting triangle stone in front.

Getting Ready

2011-09-12T22:03:00.000-04:00

This was taken in late Spring - and it's an area I am getting ready to explore further once the snakes go in. This rockpile looks slightly smeared to me - but that could also be because of root damage. It's located in one of those area's that I hit at the end of the season.

Just so Hot....

2011-07-19T21:51:00.002-04:00

With the heat index what it is. I have been thinking about some of the my favorite sights and structures. This 'stone skull' like structure is from an old post and it's something that everytime I pass it - it still looks like it is indeed - a stone skull. There is also a phallic like object wedged underneath the stone on the right hand side of the picture. It's located in my favorite area to explore in Lower Yoder. Just wish it was easier to get to this time of year.

Indiana County Site

2011-05-07T23:14:00.002-04:00

A reader Bill Carney from Indiana County got in touch with me about a site he has found just outside of Dilltown in Indiana County. My visit proved very interesting considering - I was out that way a couple of weeks ago doing research on Browns Farm (Laurel Hill Settlement) and was thinking there are some spots in Indiana County I'd like to check out.

This site is located along a sloping hillside with a ravine and a vista view of the valley below for miles. There are at least 10 rockpiles along with a couple rock on rock structures. As you can see from this first picture - this rockpile looks like it has been disturbed sometime in the past. The area has been logged in the past and is due to be logged again. Also a couple of hundred feet away - the area was once strip mined.

This is a tough area to shoot. What you are looking at is an almost completely buried rockpile that shows considerable age. We cleaned around the triangle like rock the best we could.

Simple rock on rock.

Another rock on rock.

More rock on rock - that looks like it may also have been disturbed at some point. But it does feature that odd and interesting flat type rock on in the front. If it wasn't in such bad shape - I'd almost say it reminds me of a turtle.

Another disturbed rockpile.

There are rockpiles of various sizes from small to large. This pile also looks smeared to me - but the front stone does remind me of a manitou stone.

Like I said at the top - this is a hard area to shoot. This is actually a very large rock mound that shows its age.

Another low to the ground rockpile which seems to be a type of 'style' in this area along with the sections of Cambria and Westmoreland Counties I search.
These next two pictures - this rockpile features a hollow:

This hollow looks intentional to me. The hollow also doesn't look like it was caused by a long decayed tree. But having said this - it could also be a possible burial cairn - with the small wooden coffin long gone which caused the sagging.

The different styles of the site make me believe that this plot of land was occupied for quite a few years.

Another rockpile in the distance.

Another smeared pile with a possible Manitou stone.

This is the view of the valley and off in the far distance is actually the mountain ridge that I spend considerable time searching. My impressions: I get the feeling that this was once a Ceremonial Site (there is a creek nearby) with some possible burials along with Marker Piles and possible Vision Quest area that didn't photograph well. This area shows great promise - if it follows the pattern I've noticed on my side of the mountain - there will be more to be found I'm sure of it.