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 Wagonhound Tipi Rings - Arlington, WY
N 41° 37.877 W 106° 17.148
13T E 392899 N 4609637
These rings of stones were used by Native Americans to secure their teepees to the ground.
Waymark Code: WMHMDF
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 07/23/2013
Views: 9
If you stood on this spot hundreds of years ago, you may have seen a primitive population preparing for the next buffalo hunt with their unique cone shaped houses dotting the landscape. Today, if you know where to look, you may still spot evidence of these ancient travelers. A circle of stones buried in the ground marks the site of one of those ancient tipis. Fortunately this site is easy to find at the Wagonhound Rest Area off I-80 just west of Arlington. An interpretive sign at the location provides additional insight:
The stone circles or "TIPI RINGS" at this site mark the location of a prehistoric Native American campsite. The stones were probably used to anchor the skins of conical tents, known by the Sioux word "TIPI." The stones were placed around the base of the tipi to hold down the skins as well as to provide additional support to the tipi in high winds. After the introduction of the metal ax, wooden pegs gradually replaced the stones for holding down the skins.
The tipi was used for shelter and sleeping. Most daily activities occurred outside the structure. A hearth in the center of the tipi was used for heat and cooking in poor weather.
In prehorse times, tipis averaged approximately 12 feet in diameter, and poles used in their construction were up to 15 feet long. Eight to 12 buffalo hides were needed for the construction of a tipi. The hides of buffalo killed during the summer were preferred because they were thinner and lighter in weight. A smudge fire was built inside a new tipi, and the smoke was allowed to permeate the leather. This process weatherproofed the leather and aided in its preservation.
It has been estimated that there are over 1 million tipi rings in the western United States. As such, they are one of the most common archaeological features to be found in this part of the country. The features at this rest area have been preserved by the Wyoming Highway Department and the Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist for your benefit. Please feel free to inspect the tipi rings up close, but do not disturb the rocks.
Type: Ruins
How did you find this "Ancient Evidence": Other
Terrain Rating: 
Trailhead: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions: To log your visit to this Waymark, post a picture of your GPSr next to the artifact. Post a second, wider picture to show the "Ancient Evidence" in context.
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