Mark of Conquest II: Benchmark and Mortar

Mortar, benchmark, cupules.

In a previous post we wrote about a United States Geological Survey benchmark medal adhered to a Chumash mortar stone, adjacent the Santa Ynez Mountains along the southern-most edge of Santa Barbara County.

Here we call attention to another example of metaphor in metal and stone, adjacent the Sierra Madre Mountains along the northern-most edge of Santa Barbara County.

The benchmark is seated amid what appears to be a series of cupules. Perhaps a cupule itself was used as a small bowl and filled with adhesive mortar and the benchmark placed on top.

A much larger, more prominent bedrock outcrop rises from the grassland near the mortar stone, suggesting the medal was intentionally set upon the Indian artifact like a flag, for reasons other than need of a solid footing in a precise location.