When Was the Bighorn Medicine Wheel Created?
The Bighorn Medicine Wheel, a remarkable stone structure perched atop a remote mountain peak in Wyoming, has captivated the imaginations of scholars, archaeologists, and spiritual seekers for centuries. Its enigmatic design, featuring a central cairn surrounded by radiating spokes and an outer ring, hints at a profound purpose. But when was this ancient monument created, and who were the people who built it? These questions have sparked intense debate and research, leading to a complex and evolving understanding of the Bighorn Medicine Wheel’s origins.
The Mystery of the Medicine Wheel
The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is located in the Bighorn Mountains of northern Wyoming, at an elevation of approximately 9,642 feet (2,940 meters) above sea level. The site’s remote location and harsh climate have helped preserve the structure for centuries. The wheel is composed of approximately 28 spokes radiating from a central stone cairn, with an outer ring of stones. Smaller cairns are strategically placed along the spokes and the outer ring. The entire structure has a diameter of about 80 feet (24 meters).
The exact purpose of the Bighorn Medicine Wheel remains a mystery, but several theories have been proposed. The most widely accepted interpretation is that the wheel served as an astronomical observatory and a ceremonial site. The spokes may have been aligned with the rising and setting points of certain stars and the sun, allowing for the tracking of celestial events and the determination of seasonal cycles. Other theories suggest that the wheel was used for vision quests, healing rituals, or as a marker of important geographical locations.
Dating the Structure: A Complex Challenge
Determining the exact age of the Bighorn Medicine Wheel is a challenging task due to the nature of the materials used in its construction. The structure is made of stones, which do not readily lend themselves to traditional dating methods such as radiocarbon dating. However, various research methods have been employed to estimate the wheel’s age, including:
- Archaeological Context: Examining the artifacts and features found in the surrounding area can provide clues about the wheel’s age. This includes the analysis of pottery shards, projectile points, and other objects that may be associated with the construction or use of the wheel.
- Dating of Associated Features: Researchers have attempted to date associated features, such as the central cairn or the smaller cairns, using methods like lichenometry, which involves measuring the growth of lichens on the rocks.
- Astronomical Alignments: Analyzing the astronomical alignments of the spokes can help estimate the wheel’s age. By understanding the positions of celestial bodies at different points in history, researchers can determine when the alignments would have been most accurate.
- Oral Traditions and Ethnographic Research: Oral traditions and cultural knowledge from Native American tribes who have ancestral ties to the area have provided valuable insights into the history and significance of the wheel.
Estimates and Theories: A Range of Possibilities
Based on the available evidence, the construction of the Bighorn Medicine Wheel is generally believed to have occurred sometime between 300 and 800 years ago. However, the exact date remains a subject of debate. Here is an overview of the different theories and estimates:
- Early Estimates: Some early estimates, based on limited evidence, suggested that the wheel could be as old as 7,000 years. However, these claims were largely based on speculation and have been largely dismissed by modern researchers.
- The Plains Indians Connection: The prevailing theory suggests that the Bighorn Medicine Wheel was constructed by ancestors of the Plains Indian tribes, such as the Crow, Cheyenne, and Shoshone. These tribes have a long history in the Bighorn Mountains and have maintained cultural connections to the wheel.
- Dating through Astronomical Alignments: Research on the wheel’s astronomical alignments, particularly those involving the rising and setting points of stars like Aldebaran, Rigel, and Sirius, has helped to refine the dating estimates. These alignments appear to have been most accurate between 1200 and 1700 AD.
- Radiocarbon Dating: Although direct radiocarbon dating of the stones is not possible, organic materials found near the wheel, such as charcoal or bone fragments, have been dated. These samples have yielded dates that support the timeframe of 1200 to 1700 AD.
- A Multifaceted Construction Process: It is possible that the Bighorn Medicine Wheel was not built in a single event but rather evolved over time. This suggests that different groups of people may have contributed to its construction and modification over several centuries.
The Significance of the Bighorn Medicine Wheel
Regardless of its precise age, the Bighorn Medicine Wheel holds immense cultural and spiritual significance. For Native American tribes, the wheel is a sacred site that represents a connection to the cosmos, the natural world, and the ancestors. The wheel’s alignments with celestial events allowed for the tracking of seasons, the timing of important ceremonies, and the prediction of weather patterns.
The wheel also serves as a reminder of the rich history and cultural heritage of the Plains Indian tribes. It stands as a testament to their astronomical knowledge, engineering skills, and spiritual beliefs. The site continues to be a place of pilgrimage and reflection for many Native Americans today.
Preservation and Future Research
The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is a protected archaeological site, and efforts are underway to preserve it for future generations. This includes regular monitoring of the site, minimizing human impact, and educating the public about its significance.
Ongoing research, including advanced archaeological techniques and further analysis of astronomical alignments, is expected to provide additional insights into the wheel’s age, purpose, and the people who built it. Continued collaboration between archaeologists, Native American tribes, and other stakeholders is crucial to ensure that the Bighorn Medicine Wheel remains a source of wonder and inspiration for years to come.
Conclusion
While the exact date of the Bighorn Medicine Wheel’s creation remains elusive, the evidence points to a construction period between 300 and 800 years ago, likely by ancestors of the Plains Indian tribes. The wheel’s astronomical alignments, archaeological context, and oral traditions offer valuable clues about its age and purpose. The Bighorn Medicine Wheel stands as a remarkable testament to the ingenuity, knowledge, and spiritual beliefs of its creators. Its enduring presence on a remote mountain peak continues to inspire wonder and calls for further exploration and understanding of this sacred site.
