Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Berkeley Hills in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
 

Mortar Rock

 
 
Mortar Rock Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 21, 2012
1. Mortar Rock Marker
[Illustrations:] [top:] Elderberry, Sambucus mexicana [bottom:] California Bay Tree, Umbellularia californica
Inscription. Mortar Rock takes its name from the many holes worn in these hard lavas by Native American women pounding and grinding acorns and other seeds into meal. This staple food could be stored and later cooked into cakes or porridge.

Native Americans also used many of the other plants in this park. California bay trees (Umbellularia californica), relatives of avocados, provided oily, nutritious nuts. Their pungent leaves, like those of mugwort (Artemisia californica) helped keep insects out of food stores.

Big, glossy seeds of California buckeye (Aesculus californica) were mashed and used to stun fish. In lean times, they could be leached of their poisons and eaten. Blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) branches were easily hollowed out to make flutes and clappers. The soft pith helped kindle fires. The berries were eaten along with many others, including rose hips and berries of toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia). Other plants were used in baskets, clothing, dyes and medicines.
 
Erected by Friends of Five Creeks.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & ForestryNative Americans.
 
Location. 37° 53.601′ N, 122° 16.356′ 
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Berkeley Hills. Marker can be reached from Indian Rock Avenue. The marker is located at Indian Rock Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 915 Indian Rock Avenue, Berkeley CA 94707, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Indian Rock (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Hinkel Park (about 700 feet away); Northbrae Public Improvements (approx. ¼ mile away); Thousand Oaks Neighborhood and Urns (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Thousand Oaks School (approx. 0.4 miles away); North Branch Berkeley Public Library (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of Napoleon Bonaparte Byrne House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Berkeley Municipal Rose Garden (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.
 
Mortar Rock Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 21, 2012
2. Mortar Rock Marker
Indian Mortar Holes for Grinding Acorns. image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 21, 2012
3. Indian Mortar Holes for Grinding Acorns.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 876 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=53850

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 28, 2024