BIG HORN MEDICINE WHEEL
      BIG HORN NATIONAL FOREST, WYOMING


The Big Horn Medicine Wheel sits atop Medicine Mountain, almost 10,000 feet above sea level, in
the Big Horn National Forest in Wyoming.  Medicine Wheels are defined as a group of stones that has two of the following three characteristics.  A circle of stones, a central cairn (rock pile) and two or more "spokes" of stones.  The purpose of Medicine Wheels and ceremonies conducted there is unknown.  The Big Horn Medicine wheel is the largest (approximately 90 feet in diameter) of some 67 known Medicine Wheels in North America.  At least one of these Medicine Wheels (
Majorville) dates from 2500 B.C. or when the Pyramids in Egypt were constructed.  As Big Horn is probably the youngest Medicine Wheel, it is one of the best preserved from the ravages of erosion.  The age of the Big Horn Medicine Wheel can not be precise because there is evidence that it was constructed in stages.  The Cairns date between 1050 A.D. and 1450 A.D.  The 28 spokes of the circle date between 1500 A.D. and 1760 A.D.   When Big Horn was first discovered by White Men in the 19th century they asked the local tribes about it. 
They were advised that it was an evil place and to stay away. 
My favorite explanation?  A guide for lost spirits to find their way to the next world. 
North America's Stonehenge
The design of practically every Medicine Wheel is unique.  The purpose of every Medicine Wheel is probably unique too.  To the right is a diagram with a possible explanation of how this Medicine Wheel could have worked.  This theory is more popular with archaeologists than astronomers.  Astronomers are skeptical because rock piles do not lend themselves to precision.  The alignments for the stars would have been valid between 1050 A.D. to 1450 A.D.  The four stars mentioned are known as Dawn Rising Stars, a first magnitude star which clears the horizon at certain times of the year as the Sun is rising.  This makes it the last star visible in the sky for up to 15 minutes as the sun is rising.  Many ancient cultures had spiritual beliefs centered around Dawn Rising Stars, most notably ancient Egypt. 
I consider the Big Horn Medicine Wheel one of the most mysterious of the wonders I have listed. There are no clear cut answers as to who created it or why.
Summer Solstice
at Big Horn.
Click for a larger photo. 
So why would you climb a mountain to construct a circle of stones that measures time?  And as to Fomalhaut, which appears in the winter, the stones pointing towards the direction to look would be covered with snow at the time of alignment.  Assuming you could even get on top of the mountain at that time of year.  So why would they do it?  I believe that it was an act of worship.  A demonstration of faith.  Some spiritually motivated task.  Perhaps to help spirits find their way to the next world.  Or to show the gods that they were grateful for the gifts of the sun and the stars.  We really don't know.  In any event, I consider this monument worthy of inclusion.  These medicine wheels made me realize that Native Americans were aware of astronomical phenomena during at least the time of the Great Pyramids. They have lasted for millenniums and can be used today for observing astronomical alignments, but their intended purpose is still a mystery. 
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