I can not open the images. I assume you think they are Chinese
characters (?). A parallel case is that Benjamin Pykles (SUNY
Potsdam) has found an Oceanic rock carving (Hawaiian) in Utah - a sea
turtle, perhaps others (?) left by Native Hawaiians converted to
Mormonism and brought to the Great Basin. Of course, how many
Overseas Chinese were literate and those who were (e.g. store
merchants) might not run around carving things on rocks. Are there
any other examples from the American West? Can others help here - P.
Wegars for example.
Bob Schuyler
At 02:30 AM 9/29/2009, you wrote:
>I found someone who thought that the two whole symbols translate as "heaven=
>" and "big" but it's not a lot to go on. Also=2C I was told that the writi=
>ng was not "normative". I also believe there must have been more to it in =
>size originally but it has since broken apart. I wonder=2C do you still th=
>ink it would be a keepsake or fetish if it was actually larger than it is n=
>ow? know that it's rather large and heavy for a portable fetish or keepsa=
>ke.
>I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you=2C Carmen
>
>=20
> > Date: Sat=2C 19 Sep 2009 11:44:22 -0700
> > From: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: rock carved with asian symbols in North Idaho?
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> >=20
> > The size suggests it might be a keepsake or fetish. I suggest you show it
> > to someone who can read Chinese characters.
> >=20
> >=20
> > Allen Dart=2C RPA=2C Executive Director
> > Old Pueblo Archaeology Center
> > PO Box 40577
> > Tucson AZ 85717-0577 USA
> > 520-798-1201 office=2C 520-798-1966 fax
> > Email: [log in to unmask]
> > URL: www.oldpueblo.org
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> >=20
> > > This rock was found recently near Priest Lake=2C Idaho.
> > > I was wondering if anyone has seen something similar or could identify =
>the
> > > characters. The carvings are raised=2C not engraved. The rock is hard a=
>nd
> > > fine
> > > grained. I do not know how the carvings were done. I wet the rock with
> > > water to make the characters stand out more for the photos. When dry=2C=
> the
> > > rock is a light gray I am interested in it's meaning and purpose. Could
> > > it be a
> > > grave marker? It looks as if the rock was bigger at one time but was
> > > broken
> > > apart long ago based on the smoothness and wear. I have been told that
> > > many years ago=2C Asian laborers were brought into the United States fr=
>om
> > > Canada on a trail through this area=2C perhaps it was carved during tha=
>t
> > > time?
> > > Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you=2C Carmen.
> > >
> > > View the photos at:
> > >
> > > http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3D383329026/a=3D5120410=
>26_
> > > 512041026/otsc=3DSHR/otsi=3DSALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=3Dsnapfish/
> > >
> =0A=
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