• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Need help with my mystery rock origin.

Stewie26

Stewie26

Feb 15, 2012
1,557
13,571
Redondo Beach-Palos Verdes, California
#1
A few years ago, after we had hugh 20 foot storm surf, I found this 40 pound rock mixed with other rocks on the shoreline. As you can see it has a big hole in the middle. I thought it was cool so I climbed up a 150 foot cliff to bring this sucker home. With that said, it has been sitting on my front porch ever since. I am still trying to figure out how that almost perfect round hole was made. Some say the Chinese visited the Pacific Coast of North America thousands of years before Columbus and made boat anchors by drilling holes in rocks. Not sure if I am buying that. Any TBers with ideas how this hole was made in the rock?
3,000 Year Old Chinese Anchors

IMG_0590.JPG

IMG_0588.JPG


I found the rock at this cove in Palos Verdes, CA
Lunada-Bay-facing-Palos-Verdes-Point.jpg


IMG_0589.JPG
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: the harp unstrung, Aberdumbie, catcauphonic and 3 others
#3
It could be relatively more recent then you think or it may be very old, its very hard to say as there have been many people migrating through that area for thousands of years. It may have traveled a long way or it could have been in that area buried in the sea floor near by for quite awhile. I wouldn't even know who you could ask except maybe some historians or maritime scholars, its an interesting conversation piece for sure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stewie26
#8
Downunderwonder said:
Something was in the dirt before it was squeezed into rock. I am going with tree branch.
Click to expand...
Another thing is that the rock composition is different from the other type of local rocks. In my area we have unique rocks called Palos Verdes stone which is not found anywhere else in the world. This rock is made of a much different material which suggest it may have come from far away.
 
#9
bluesblaster said:
It could be relatively more recent then you think or it may be very old, its very hard to say as there have been many people migrating through that area for thousands of years. It may have traveled a long way or it could have been in that area buried in the sea floor near by for quite awhile. I wouldn't even know who you could ask except maybe some historians or maritime scholars, its an interesting conversation piece for sure.
Click to expand...
My wife wanted to fill the hole with dirt then put a small house plant in it. I told her that would ruin it as it would be covering up the hole.
 
Last edited:
#15
Downunderwonder said:
The sweeping sediment strata pattern is the dead giveaway.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought.

It's definitely a sedimentary rock and the layers are distorted around the hole. I assume that sediment was being laid down around and over a log until it was completely buried. The wood would have been preserved for awhile until it was replaced by crystals. Later, the sediment was transformed into hard rock by pressure and time. Eventually, the rock was exposed to the surface and weathering from water and sand eroded the rock into it's rounded, smooth shape. The log shaped crystals would be softer than the surrounding rock and would erode much faster until they were all gone. Result: A smooth stone with a log shaped hole in it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: biguglyman, Lbsterner, FilterFunk and 3 others
#17
hbarcat said:
That's what I thought.

It's definitely a sedimentary rock and the layers are distorted around the hole. I assume that sediment was being laid down around and over a log until it was completely buried. The wood would have been preserved for awhile until it was replaced by crystals. Later, the sediment was transformed into hard rock by pressure and time. Eventually, the rock was exposed to the surface and weathering from water and sand eroded the rock into it's rounded, smooth shape. The log shaped crystals would be softer than the surrounding rock and would erode much faster until they were all gone. Result: A smooth stone with a log shaped hole in it.
Click to expand...
I guess basic rock formation isn't universally taught in high school.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back