Maybe a Turtle Foot

February 2005 Photos:

Just yesterday photos of one particular testudinate stone.

tes·tu·di·nate (těs-tōōd'n-ĭt, -āt', -tyōōd'-) adj. Of, relating to, or resembling a turtle or tortoise. n. A turtle or tortoise. [From New Latin Testūdināta, order name, from Testūdō, type genus, from Latin testūdō, testūdin-, tortoise; see testudo.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Brushing aside the duff reveals a stone inches away that resembles a turtle's foot, claws and all.

How many times has this been my experience before?

Many times.

There were no other obvious "parts" just laying around. Perhaps they are just below the surface of the ground, along with other artifacts that will never see the light of day, or add to our picture of the Sacred Landscape.

Trying a couple positions for a recreation of it's original position.