MORTAR & PESTLE, BALLONA CREEK, NEAR MARINA DEL REY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:33357 | Material: Stone |
| Maker: Indigenous people of Southern California | Original/Reproduction: Original |
| Color: Brown |
MORTAR & PESTLE, BALLONA CREEK, NEAR MARINA DEL REY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIACup MortarHeight: 1 ¾’Rim Diameter: 2 ¼”Weight: 3.1 ozPestleLength: 2 ¼”Width: 1 ¼”Weight: 3.0 ozThis mortar & pestle came out of anextensive Long Beach collection. Theowner said the artifacts came from the current Marina del Mar area, off BallonaCreek. That part of southern Californiahad an extensive CHUMASH occupation site.The mortar is a cup variety... with a nice, rather dense beach-stone pestle. It is perfect for grinding very small batchesof herbs—perhaps for Shamanistic use? Itis too small for major food preparation.Abrasion scars, some pitting andgrooved/dings are evident on both items.Except for a concerted effort by theCity of Los Angeles to preserve a good section of Ballona Creek, any evidenceof the earlier occupation is under asphalt and concrete, though occasionally, items do fall out of the neighboring cliffs!This is an outstanding, unique mortar& pestle thatwill only add to any collection of true Southern California ancient artifacts.
