| Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park | |
|---|---|
 Rock outcrop with mortar holes | |
   | |
| Location | Amador County, California |
| Nearest city | Pine Grove, California |
| Coordinates | 38°25′27″N120°38′36″W / 38.42417°N 120.64333°W /38.42417; -120.64333 |
| Area | 135 acres (55 ha) |
| Established | 1962 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Indian Grinding Rock | |
| Area | 264 acres (106.8 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000133[1] |
| Added to NRHP | May 06, 1971 |
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is aCalifornia State Park, preserving an outcropping of marbleizedlimestone with some 1,185mortar holes—the largest collection of bedrock mortars inNorth America. It is located in theSierra Nevada foothills, 8 miles (13 km) east ofJackson. The park is nestled in a little valley 2,400 feet (732 m) above sea level, with open meadows and large specimens ofvalley oak that once provided theMiwok peoples of this area with an ample supply ofacorns.[2] The 135-acre (55 ha) park was established in 1962[3] and listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1971.
The native name for the site is "Chaw’se", the Miwok word for "grinding rock". Upon this rock they ground acorns and other seeds intomeal, slowly forming the cup-shaped depressions in the stone, which can still be seen today. Along with the mortar holes, the main grinding rock within the park features a number ofpetroglyphs: circles, spoked wheels, animal and human tracks, wavy lines, etc. Some of these carvings are thought to be as much as two or three thousand years old and are now becoming difficult to discern. This association of rock art and bedrock mortar pits is unique in California. Except for one other small site, Chaw'se has the only known occurrence of mortars intentionally decorated with petroglyphs.[4]
This museum within the park grounds features a variety of exhibits and a vast collection of Sierra Nevada Indian artifacts. A Miwok village complete with aceremonial roundhouse has been reconstructed in the middle of the small valley and is registered asCalifornia Historical Landmark #1001.[5] The museum has been designed to reflect the architecture of the traditional roundhouse. Exhibited in this two-story museum are examples of the technology and crafts of the Miwok and other Sierra Nevada Native American groups. As a regional Indian museum, the collection at Chaw'se includes exhibits on various tribal groups, including: the Northern, Central and Southern Miwok,Maidu,Konkow,Monache,Nisenan,Tubatulabal,Washoe, andFoothill Yokuts.[2]
Bird life varies depending on the season, but many species are seen year-round, includingturkey vultures,California scrub andSteller's jays,California quail,acorn andhairy woodpeckers,northern flickers,hermit thrushes,wild turkeys (non-native), andCalifornia thrashers. In summer the bright colors of thewestern tanager,northern oriole,calliope andAnna's hummingbirds can be seen in the woods around the meadow.[2]
The abundant animal life in and around the park includesdeer,fox,gray andCalifornia ground squirrels,black-tailed jackrabbits,bobcats,bats, and occasionally amountain lion orblack bear.Coyote calls can be heard on quiet summer nights.[2]
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