Then too, this granite was different from sandstone. What this means is, through weathering and exfoliation, it scales or peels off in layers like an onion. Sheets and singular scales had fallen away from the outer hide of these rocks over the eons. In addition, I was aware that old graffiti had been once removed by the work of stone chiseling. Of course I should be able to spot such markings and easily so.
Stone chiseling leaves a certain generally obvious surface texture.
Still, I had to be very careful in any appraisals. I bent down to examine it. I ran my fingers across it . I could tell by the mark's patina that it wasn't ancient. But it wasn't anything close to new or recent either.