Thursday, September 08, 2016

A Boulder Split into Four Quarters (Woodbury CT)



   The long version here includes some

"Rows of Stones on a Talus or Scree covered Slope, sometimes connected to boulders or tors:"
http://wakinguponturtleisland.blogspot.com/2016/09/a-boulder-split-into-four-quarters.html
    Re Peter's comment: There isn't much that appears to be "retained," a build up of debris, but it's not like there is an upper terrace level. I didn't climb up to that one, but did at the first I encountered (#17 of 24) to check out the other side:

7 comments :

pwax said...

Picture 18 of 24. I wonder if that could be a retaining wall for what is behind it.

Tim MacSweeney said...

I added a photo of the other side of Picture 17 since I didn't climb up on 18. There is a boulder behind the row, but it's not like there is an upper terrace, roughly a continuation of the same contour.

Norman said...

That large, square-like split boulder is very interesting, and visually impressive. Looks like donation stones in the void, and placed stones around the base. Certainly this was a focus of ceremonial attention, or so it seems to me sitting here in NJ. I'm reminded of what I wrote just now in response to Peter's posting above (about the Oley Hills site).

Norman said...

And what is that behind the square boulder? Looks like two large thin boulders placed on edge. Are they significant?

Tim MacSweeney said...

Norman: That rectangular split boulder is certainly located below an "impressive looking outcrop," and I wonder if it weren't so droughty around here if there's not a spring, and maybe a resulting underground stream that might make sound.
I'm not sure what you mean about two thin boulders placed on edge behind the boulder.
I had to return to the town offices the other day and followed the base of the outcrop up to the highest point, just below a tower. I walked past several distinct stone piles (without a camera on me). The whole base of the cliff has low stone rows along it but by the tower become high "undulating in height" rows, four feet tall, higher in spots, some ajoining rows built to connect and encircle smaller outcrops (or broken off tors).

Norman said...

I was looking at the first photo in the sequence. Behind the square split boulder, and at around 11 o'clock, are two separate boulders that appear to form an open enclosure (the opening facing the square boulder). The two boulders look rather thin (a foot or so in width!), and seemingly upright, but I may be fooled by the photo.

Tim MacSweeney said...

Norman: In photo one of four here at Rock Piles, at 11:00 is a single boulder that does have a sort of V shaped opening in it that faces the larger split boulder. I remember pausing to look at it, wondering if it was natural fracturing or purposely quarried into it. Not only does it face the boulder, but it is also facing the direction of sunset. If you follow the row of stones leading east of the split there is a circular enclosure of stones that I am suspicious of being a later addition, maybe someone's idea of a hunting blind. I didn't capture a good clear image of it but probably will return when the leaves are down to try again...