PRE-CLASSIC STONE CARVINGS
IN WESTERN
INDIANA?
Description of Collection Locality (also see Poem) Mike and Gerry Cloncs, Montgomery County, Indiana (Contacts) Please CLICK on
underlined Subject Matter to view: The site is located in West central Indiana (Photo). The various stones or cobbles were
found along a creek, and also on tilled ground. Some were also located along a little ditch, and another little
creek that feeds into the same larger creek.
The bottom field, along this creek has been flooded at times causing erosion over many
years. Also,
there had been an Amerindian village close by in the same low valley, but
there is no data of its age. More
than likely it had been used by many cultures. Parts of the field have become depressed—washed away. The soil is quite sandy in certain
places. Part of the small field also
consists of loam. Portions are
obviously subsoil. Many stones seem
to have worked their way up—and, as stated much of the soil has been
eroded. A very helpful Geologist of
the U.S. Geological Survey related to us that this is a non-glaciated area of
Indiana, so the markings could not have been made by glacier movement or
natural weathering phenomena. We find
perfect large and small points, celts, and scrapers (see Tools).
Some of these also have the markings.
To the North, there is a rise.
At one time it was a little hill—in another adjacent field. The owner of that field bulldozed it a bit
more level. However, even before
this, we found—and still find many artifacts/rocks at the base of that
hill. There are hills along this
field at one end. Many stones are
located there. Having some experience
on farms, we are aware of what a plow and disc can do to rocks. Plough disc scrapes are indeed seen now and
then, and usually, unless there are other markings on a rock, these are
discarded. These stones do not appear
to have been designed by haphazard disc scrapes, natural
inclusions, broken edges or natural weathering phenomena. There are many stylized
patterns, consistent markings and carvings among the many
specimens. This site shows possible
signs of human activity over a very long time period [see Authentication].
Besides the tools and probably some early forms of
writing there are many stones that are carved in the shape of human heads,
and animals. However, many of the
stones have only small, 3-10 cm. carvings located on their surfaces. There are numerous “cameos” carved
directly on the quartz or other materials in the rocks that depict humans
either solitary or in groups engaged in various activities, and animals. Of the latter a principal theme is the
American lion (Panthera atrox), primarily males, and guanacos, bison,
horses, and some wild pigs. One
carving depicts a rider on horseback. Other
categories: Human
Shapes Animal Shapes Misc. Shapes Inscriptions Tools Unidentified
Markings |
