A few years ago we came across this thing which I've been told is a prayer wheel and maybe for a pet.It appears to be Native American. The stones are brought in and not indigenous to the area where it is found.Any information about it would be appreciated.Detail:Over view:As found:The desert till does not appear to be disturbed. However, the ring appears not intact. No footsteps nearby other than mine.

Have never seen anything like that for pets. As far as I know, native Americans cremate their beloveds.

magnusfide wrote:Have never seen anything like that for pets. As far as I know, native Americans cremate their beloveds.Depends on the tribe and the religion of the descendents. If they have gone down the "Jesus road" or they are traditional. Navajo traditionalists place no value on a corpse and avoid it at all costs.Your blanket statements about Indians are sort of racist. Sort of like saying all blacks like watermelon. Incorrect and derogatory in both instances.

Where was this located and how close to a campground/civilization ?Just a rough guess, I would say a family put this together as a fun project or a marker for a burial of some sort. The art on the 2 rocks looks recent and something children would do. Flying saucer and a tribal type symbol.So my guess is a family was camping or lived nearby and either they ran across a dead animal and buried it or their pet died and this is where they buried it. The rocks look like the typical rocks you would find in a desert area where there has been volcanic activity in the past. For example; Death Valley, Barstow, Quartzite areas all have these types of rocks.

This was in Homolovi Ruins State Park outside of Winslow, AZ.The red and black stones are obviously rounded from probably running river water and are not indigenous to the ruins area.The location is very close to the campground and the materials were probably brought in by vehicle. There are no paths or trails nearby. I probably should not have walked there due to the fragile nature of the desert surface - I was looking for an elevated point for a view.

darsben wrote:magnusfide wrote:Have never seen anything like that for pets. As far as I know, native Americans cremate their beloveds.Depends on the tribe and the religion of the descendents. If they have gone down the "Jesus road" or they are traditional. Navajo traditionalists place no value on a corpse and avoid it at all costs.Your blanket statements about Indians are sort of racist. Sort of like saying all blacks like watermelon. Incorrect and derogatory in both instances.Unless I'm missing something here this to me did not sound derogatory. :h

Prayer Wheel for pet found in desert. | Good Sam Community

CA_POPPY
Explorer
Dec 05, 2014
I've got no idea,but those are interesting, beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing them!
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2014
Ironically, on the Truck Camper forum, a man there was eloquently lamenting the loss of his beloved Scottie; and it sounds like the pet was buried in the desert. But he didn't say anything about creating artwork out of stones....

I'm going to guess that it might have been part of some sort of worship ceremony or event celebration?? When we were in Hawaii at Volcanoes National Park, we would stumble across little "gifts" or artwork left for the goddess of volcanoes, Pele.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 04, 2014
crickeydog wrote:
darsben wrote:
magnusfide wrote:
Have never seen anything like that for pets. As far as I know, native Americans cremate their beloveds.

Your blanket statements about Indians are sort of racist. Sort of like saying all blacks like watermelon. Incorrect and derogatory in both instances.

Theres absolutely nothing racist in the original posters statement. But, you sir, offend me! I have no clue what the rock arrangement means...but I'll try and find out.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:B
Don Herod
Card Carrying Cherokee Nation Indian #C00139468

Thank you your statement.

I was perplexed where/why 'darsben' got the idea about it being racist/derogatory.
Think some folks just like to 'jump'.

darsben statement "If they have gone down the "Jesus road"....." could easily be misconstrued.
Seems a bit contradictory
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Dec 04, 2014
Tachdriver wrote:
darsben wrote:
magnusfide wrote:
Have never seen anything like that for pets. As far as I know, native Americans cremate their beloveds.

Depends on the tribe and the religion of the descendents. If they have gone down the "Jesus road" or they are traditional. Navajo traditionalists place no value on a corpse and avoid it at all costs.

Your blanket statements about Indians are sort of racist. Sort of like saying all blacks like watermelon. Incorrect and derogatory in both instances.

Unless I'm missing something here this to me did not sound derogatory. :h

Ok... My first response was deleted so I will clean it up.... I do not know what that is nor have I ever seen anything like it,... And I agree with the above poster... The was nothing derogatory or racist about that response ....
dturm
Moderator
Dec 04, 2014
Let's stay on topic.

Personally, I have no idea what that is, I've never seen anything like it.
ScottG
Nomad
Dec 04, 2014
Tachdriver wrote:
darsben wrote:
magnusfide wrote:
Have never seen anything like that for pets. As far as I know, native Americans cremate their beloveds.

Depends on the tribe and the religion of the descendents. If they have gone down the "Jesus road" or they are traditional. Navajo traditionalists place no value on a corpse and avoid it at all costs.

Your blanket statements about Indians are sort of racist. Sort of like saying all blacks like watermelon. Incorrect and derogatory in both instances.

Unless I'm missing something here this to me did not sound derogatory. :h

Me neither.
Absolutely nothing racist about knowing something about Indian heritage. In fact I commend him.
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2014
A "Medicine Wheel" perhaps?
darsben
Explorer II
Dec 03, 2014
crickeydog wrote:
darsben wrote:
magnusfide wrote:
Have never seen anything like that for pets. As far as I know, native Americans cremate their beloveds.

Your blanket statements about Indians are sort of racist. Sort of like saying all blacks like watermelon. Incorrect and derogatory in both instances.

Theres absolutely nothing racist in the original posters statement. But, you sir, offend me! I have no clue what the rock arrangement means...but I'll try and find out.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:B
Don Herod
Card Carrying Cherokee Nation Indian #C00139468

thanks
crickeydog
Explorer
Dec 03, 2014
darsben wrote:
magnusfide wrote:
Have never seen anything like that for pets. As far as I know, native Americans cremate their beloveds.

Your blanket statements about Indians are sort of racist. Sort of like saying all blacks like watermelon. Incorrect and derogatory in both instances.

Theres absolutely nothing racist in the original posters statement. But, you sir, offend me! I have no clue what the rock arrangement means...but I'll try and find out.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:B
Don Herod
Card Carrying Cherokee Nation Indian #C00139468
Tachdriver
Explorer
Dec 03, 2014
darsben wrote:
magnusfide wrote:
Have never seen anything like that for pets. As far as I know, native Americans cremate their beloveds.

Depends on the tribe and the religion of the descendents. If they have gone down the "Jesus road" or they are traditional. Navajo traditionalists place no value on a corpse and avoid it at all costs.

Your blanket statements about Indians are sort of racist. Sort of like saying all blacks like watermelon. Incorrect and derogatory in both instances.

Unless I'm missing something here this to me did not sound derogatory. :h