The rocks, which are irregular and generally elliptical in shape, range in size from a bowling ball to a beach ball, and appear to have been drilled with holes approximately 2"-4" in diameter. The total quantity of stones has never been established, but a number of the oddities have been recovered at depth while others can be found near the surfline.

It is uncertain how the 3,000 year age of the "anchors" was established, nor was it ever made clear how a small vessel would cross the Pacific so heavily burdened. Given their size and weight, some of which are less than 8" x 24," it is questionable if the stones could hold a vessel of any size in the ocean.

There have been a number of documented accidental crossings by Japanese boats since the early 1800s, but no Chinese boats are known to have crossed the Pacific until modern times. To verify this theory, an attempt to duplicate the voyage from China to America in a Chinese junk riding the Kuroshio Current met dismal failure.

An examination by a geologist established that the stone is of local origin. Some have suggested that these stones were used by the Chinese that occupied the area during the latter half of the 19^th century, while others suggest the stones were used by the Portuguese during the same period to anchor whales during their butchering.  The stones may be found from Pt. Fermin to north of Point Vincente--the scattering over several miles rules out the possibilities of a shipwreck.

There is another theory and likely the only one supported by physical evidence. The area where the stones can be found is rich in fossils.

Embedded in the rocks, fossils are commonly found in the area.

As the ocean erodes the cliffs, rocks with embedded fossils tumble into the surfline where the stones become worn and rounded by the wave action. When a fossil becomes exposed, its softer material is quickly worn away, leaving behind a void in a rock. Over time, these voids become bigger. Once an urchin or two make a home in the depression, the rock is quickly honed out by the round urchin, leaving behind a tube.