This Mysterious Wyoming Landmark Is Only Visible Once A Year
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Caryl
Author
At the summit of Medicine Mountain there are some perfectly laid stones in the shape of a wagon wheel. Because of the heavy snow in the region, the circle of stones is only visible during the summer months. Who put them there and why?
The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is 80' in diameter with 28 spokes extending out from a ring-shaped pile of rocks. There are 6 other rock piles strategically circling around the outer ring. Plains Indians built the unique structure about 300-800 years ago.There are other medicine wheels throughout North America but this one in Wyoming is the best preserved of them all.
It is believed that the medicine wheel was used by the Native Americans in rituals and to predict astronomical occurrences. The arrangement of the stones and the ring shapes represent the position of the sun and stars around the summer solstice. When sitting in one pile of rocks and looking towards another, it draws your line of vision to certain places on the horizon, in particular, where the sun rose and set on the summer solstice. Other lines along the horizon represented the heliacal risings of certain bright stars. The heliacal risings were significant because they could pinpoint exact calendar dates.
It is believed that the medicine wheel was used by the Native Americans in rituals and to predict astronomical occurrences. The arrangement of the stones and the ring shapes represent the position of the sun and stars around the summer solstice. When sitting in one pile of rocks and looking towards another, it draws your line of vision to certain places on the horizon, in particular, where the sun rose and set on the summer solstice. Other lines along the horizon represented the heliacal risings of certain bright stars. The heliacal risings were significant because they could pinpoint exact calendar dates.
Ironically enough, the number 28 was and is sacred among some Native Americans because it is associated with the lunar cycle. This takes us back to the 28 spokes. There just so happens to be a 28 day interval between the heliacal risings.
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Crow Youth have also used the medicine wheel for rituals, fasting and vision quests.
The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is still used today by Native Americans. It still is an accurate predictor for the summer solstice. The site is also registered as a National Historic Landmark.
To get there, about 33 miles east of Lovell, take US 14A and turn onto Forest Road 12. Please note that Highway 14A is closed from October through May.
Park at the interpretative site and walk 1.5 miles to the Medicine Wheel.
There is a fence around the wheel and a lot of times, you will see prayer cloths and other sacred items on the fence. Please respect these items. Do not touch or move them.
Have you ever been to this site? If so, what did you think?
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