This marker is now just an eroded piece of local sandstone but when it was
new it was something of beauty placed on a loved ones grave.
There were several markers like this and others where the glass was missing.
I think the idea was that the markers face east so in the morning the sun would light
up the star as the sun rose then the sunset would light the round end on the other side.
Since this was an old stone the glass was probably made pre-WW 1 and it changed to purple over time.
Between 1850 and 1916 to make the glass sparkling clear, manganese oxide was added.
The ultra-violet rays of the sun changed the color of the clear glass to this deep
purple which means this glass maker used a lot of manganese oxide.
This was an amazing cemetery that like most told a history of an area and the people who were here.
It is interesting to see what their decedents do to remember
them and that can be deciphered if you look closely.
You’ll see the love they took with them.
Unfortunately you will see those who were forgotten too.

A fragile and anonymous place in New Mexico.

Purple ~ April Scavenger Hunt