Medicine Wheels, Cultural Connections, and Solar Alignments

Nearly every ancient civilization has studied astronomical objects in the sky, whether for navigation, measuring time, or spiritual purposes. The Plains Indians of North America were no exception. Dotting the high hills of the northern plains are hundreds of Native American stone constructions modernly called medicine wheels. Many of these are precisely aligned with the Sun and stars. To the Native Americans, medicine means “spiritual and mysterious”. These wheels are an intricate part of their spirituality and connection to the Earth and sky.

The more elaborate constructs of the Bighorn, Moose Mountain, and the Majorville medicine wheels have become the center of the studies of astronomers and archaeologists alike. What makes these wheels so unique is that they are thought to be aligned to objects in the sky, especially the Sun, Moon, and certain key stars.

The document provides descriptive materials relating to medicine wheels in general, cultural connections, highlights of 2 key medicine wheels (Bighorn and Majorville), and descriptions of their astronomical alignments. It was intended to supplement the understanding of solar science, particularly solar alignments. Included in the materials are pointers to online tours, classroom activities, and even a section of building a medicine wheel on high school or college campuses. There is also a brief overview of what archaeologists and cultural anthropologists do and how one might become one, to potentially encourage students to consider careers in science.