Part 2 - Standing Stone Area with More Rockpiles

Another shot of the very old tree that seems to be guarding the site.

Nice size rockpile - this end of the group - the size of the rockpiles are larger. They don't seem to be of the field clearing type. There also seems to be a layout to the whole area. With smaller rockpiles in one section and large in another.

Another large rockpile - slightly sunken in the middle.

Rock on Rock - in the middle of a group of rockpiles - it's actually pointing to the picture above.

Also click http://laurelhillwalks.blogspot.com/2009/11/this-cairn-is-part-of-many-in-area.html and http://laurelhillwalks.blogspot.com/2009/12/possible-burial-cairn.html for more from the same area.

Laurel Ridge Webcam - Snow Depth Measurement

I want to post this picture taken today from the state webcam at Laurel Ridge State Park. All this snow is why I have been posting archive photos. It has snowed everyday since before Christmas. With no end in sight yet. There is a fresh 4" this morning with more on the way again tonight - this time it's Lake Effect. At this rate - I won't be able to get out and search for new sites until spring.

Part 1 - Standing Stone - 350+ Year Old Tree - Rock Mounds

This area is located on a nice flat area - between two hills just off of Decker Avenue. There are at least 10 rockpiles in this one spot along with two very large and very old trees. This first picture shows a possible rockpile with the first old tree in the background.

I don't know what's more exciting, finding rockpiles or very old trees. From the measurements I took - this tree is at least 350 years old. To help put the size of the tree to scale. The small standing multi-colored stone in front of it is 12" wide.

It may be kind of hard to tell from this picture. But the whole area (around the tree) is full of what looks like flint knapping debris. It's not only on top of the ground but goes 8" to 12" below.

More rock piles.

Large stone rock pile.

Rock on Rock

Beautiful rock on rock located on the slope of a ravine - near a set of three low to the ground walls - just off of Decker. This looks ceremonial to me.

Final Look at Quarry Area - Rockshelters - Decker Avenue

I want to show you one final section near the quarry area. This is the path heading out of the quarry into a bowl-like section of possible rockshelters.

This isn't the best of pictures. What I am trying to show you is the two rock piles inside the bowl-like area and the locations of the "rock shelters" (third section on top of photo) located along the rim of the bowl. This area is about 30 feet up from the bottom of the hill.

Closeup of one of the two rock piles.

This is the path to head up to the "rock shelter" area's and the first thing you run into.

These two triangle wedged rocks are the first thing you see on the left hand side.

This is the inside of a sort of the notchlike area that is located behind the small bush (two pictures up).

As I said before all this stuff sits up on the rim of a bowl-like area. This is the inside area. It's a very tight fit - only large enough for you to walk single file. Besides the danger of falling about 30 feet down.

ZC (my nephew - over 6 feet tall) is standing at the first "shelter" to help give it scale.

Closeup up of the inside. It's large enough to hold one maybe two people. But as you can see, there is a lot of dirt and leaf debris - if it was cleaned - it could hold even more people.

Heading towards the second "shelter".

Second "shelter" - Closeup of triangle boulder with what looks like a rock wedged in. This boulder sits right in front of it.

Closeup of second "shelter".

I standing at the "shelter" looking down into where the two rock piles are located.

Looking back at the first "shelter".

All in all, the jury is out on whether or not this could possibly be Native American. Some of the features look intentional to me. It has aspects that could point towards that, but given it's location near a historic quarry and coal mine area - it could have been done by anyone.
Add to that, this area is located near a creek and with the amount of historical flooding problems in the Conemaugh Valley in the past three centuries alone. It would make much more sense to build something higher up. Living thru a 100 year flood myself - you would be amazed how in a short amount of time - things can become dangerous.

More From the Limestone Quarry Area

Closeup of the large rock mound.

The next two photo's are taken from the top of the mound looking down.

Rock on rock in the area.

Tomorrow I will be posting more photo's from this same area that shows two possible rock shelter's.

More from the Same Area

This niche is the first thing you see walking in. There are three different things going on in this area. The first two can be proved - Coal and Limestone Mining. It's this third - a possible Native American aspect that is proving to be interesting. Given the fact that proving Indians (mostly Delaware, Shawnee and Susquehanna) even lived in the Johnstown area long term isn't easy. I also have one report that states that the Mononoghela culture (they died out around 1600) was the main tribe that lived here at one time.

This thing I can't tell if it is a possible niche or a mine shaft opening/air hole.

The back of this feels solid. I stuck a stick inside. But that could be because it looks like it's kind of collapsed.

This bent tree is in the area where I found the next three possible "rock on rock" examples. Also in this area is a possible Native American Petroglyph that is currently under investigation by others. I am not ready to post any pictures on that yet. But I will have more details on the carving in the next couple of months.

Possible rock on rock.

Possible rock on rock.

Possible rock on rock.

This flat type circular cairn is also in the area.

This is the path heading to the limstone quarry/mining area.

This is the very large rock mound believed to be a result of limestone mining.

I will be posting yet more pictures from this area coming up.