False Kiva facts for kids
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The False Kiva is a mysterious stone circle found inside a cave. It's located in a quiet part of Canyonlands National Park in Utah, United States. No one knows for sure who built it or why.
To find the False Kiva, you need to know how to hike well or have special directions. It's a hidden gem! This spot has become very popular with photographers. They love to capture the amazing views of the Southwest through the unique stone circle. It looks incredible with dramatic thunderstorms or clear, starry skies.
Sadly, park rangers closed the False Kiva in August 2018. This happened because some people damaged the site.
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What is the False Kiva?
The name False Kiva comes from the mystery around it. A kiva is a special room or structure used by Native American people for religious ceremonies. The stone circle at False Kiva is inside a natural cave, called an alcove. People aren't sure if this stone circle was truly a kiva or something else. That's why it's called "False Kiva" – it might not be a real kiva.
False Kiva in Art
The unique look of False Kiva has inspired artists and photographers.
A Painting in Utah
In 2006, an artist named Keith Bond from Logan, Utah was asked to paint a landscape for the Utah State Capitol. He chose to paint False Kiva! His painting is called Ancestral Home. You can see it on the ceiling above the Senate floor in the Capitol building.
A Photo of the Stars
A famous photo of False Kiva was taken by Wally Pacholka. It's called "A True Image of False Kiva." This picture was even shown on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) on September 29, 2008. The photo shows the stone circle with the amazing Milky Way galaxy stretching across the sky, making it look like something from another world!
Images for kids
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False Kiva stone circle in Canyonlands National Park in Utah, United States.
