DONUT STONE (MINI), SANTA ROSA ISLAND, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:3814310 | Color: Tan/Brown |
| Material: Stone | Maker: Indigenous people of Santa Rosa Island |
| Original/Reproduction: Original |
DONUT STONE (MINI), SANTA ROSA ISLAND, SOUTHERNCALIFORNIAOuter Diameter: 2 3/8”Inside Hole Diameter: ½”Santa Rosa Island lies 26 miles off theSanta Barbara coastline and is the largest of the Channel Islands.The ancient Chumash lived on the islandfor thousands of years and produced many stone artifacts. As the island is now part of the Channel IslandsNational Park system, it is a violation of state and federal law to currently extract any artifacts fr...om the land.However, for many years prior to the1980s, the once privately owned island was one of the go-to destinations forwealthy Santa Barbara yacht owners intent on a weekend jaunt to collect “relics.”The listed, tiny donut stone is from thatperiod, which, according to a private Santa Monica collector, was found in thelate 1880s along the north-central shore.The stone is a small, so-called, “perforated”artifact crafted from steatite. The closeststeatite (soapstone) quarries are from Catalina Island, some 100 miles to thesoutheast.The artifact shows evidence of fire clouds, yet is maintains a high polish. Common soil abrasion scratches arevisible. Drilling apparently was done onone side, then the other to complete the hole.The archeological jury is still out on thefunction of these strange stones.Some researchers believe they were part ofelaborate ceremonial rituals; other believe they were part of games, whileothers still think they were attached to spear shafts as a counter weight. If anything, this stone looks like it was rolledalong the ground.In fact, the beauty of these donut stones(so called because they kind of look like the fossilized treat) suggests theywere special items, no doubt utilized/reserved for spiritual purpose. The currently listed stone fits into thatcategory.
