RANGELY | A set of rounded stones shaped like French baguettes baffled a scientist for decades after they were discovered in the high desert of southern Colorado. She finally unlocked the mystery and learned the stones were used to express a fundamental human impulse.
“Litho” is Greek for stone and “phone” means sound; a lithophone is a musical instrument consisting of a purposely selected rock (often formally shaped) that is tapped or rubbed with friction to produce musical notes.
Archaeologist Marilyn Martorano demonstrates and explains these ancient ground stone artifacts from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and the San Luis Valley.
The lithophones will also be available to the public at the TANK, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., during the TANK’s free Open Saturday, and will be played in a free concert at the TANK by Perc Ens on Saturday night at 8 p.m.
Free and open to all. This is a special offsite TANK event, presented at The Gathering Place, 616 E. Main Street, Rangely.
PRESS RELEASE | Submitted to the Herald Times
