Variations in Stone Ring Use at two Sites in Central Montana

Abstract

Until recently, tipi rings received little attention from archaeologists. All of the classic studies of these structures were done more than 20 years ago, and there was little agreement concerning any aspects of stone circles. Recently Plains archaeologists have begun to recognize the importance of tipi rings and to test the hypotheses of earlier authors. During the summer of 1973 the University of Montana Statewide Archaeological Survey conducted excavations of two stone circle sites near Dutton, Montana. This research demonstrates the existence of two types of stone circles and shows that significant information regarding function, use, and settlement pattern can be obtained from the excavation of tipi rings.