Shawn Report post Posted November 7, 2012 Was down helping a buddy out on his mule deer hunt today and came across this in a wash bottom. No other buildings or ruins of anything around it that I could find. Does anyone know what it is and what it was used for? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
reganranch Report post Posted November 7, 2012 Super cool Shawn, no idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
More D Report post Posted November 7, 2012 looks like what is left from an old well. thats my wag. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benbrown Report post Posted November 8, 2012 I'm betting that it is the remains of an "arrastra", These were cylindrical "silos" with a stone floor. Ore was placed in the bottom and a circular stone was set on top of the ore. The stone had a shaft through the middle and it was turned by oxen, mules or donkeys, or sometimes by water power. The ore was ground up into sand and gravel from which the gold or silver could be more easily separated. Most of these that you find are Spanish in origin, but Mexican and anglo miners made and used them, as well. The one that you saw was probably dug into deep alluvium where there were few rocks and the hole could be easily excavated, then it was lined with rock to stabilize it. Subsequent gullying apparently cut away the support on one side and washed that part of the rock wall away. Pretty cool find! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted November 8, 2012 Bill Q thought the same as Ben does....he was having trouble posting, but made a new thread about it http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/36298-possible-answer-to-what-is-this/page__pid__342046?do=findComment&comment=342046 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn Report post Posted November 8, 2012 I'm betting that it is the remains of an "arrastra", These were cylindrical "silos" with a stone floor. Ore was placed in the bottom and a circular stone was set on top of the ore. The stone had a shaft through the middle and it was turned by oxen, mules or donkeys, or sometimes by water power. The ore was ground up into sand and gravel from which the gold or silver could be more easily separated. Most of these that you find are Spanish in origin, but Mexican and anglo miners made and used them, as well. The one that you saw was probably dug into deep alluvium where there were few rocks and the hole could be easily excavated, then it was lined with rock to stabilize it. Subsequent gullying apparently cut away the support on one side and washed that part of the rock wall away. Pretty cool find! Thanks for the info! Thats cool Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted November 9, 2012 How would oxen pull the stone in a circle if its built into the cliff?? And why would it be so deep? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4Falls Report post Posted November 9, 2012 I think its a kiln as was said in the other thread. There are many of these around where I live. Even one just off my property. not sure of the exact process, but some how used to extract ore or break/split stone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
