Skystone facts for kids
| Glacial erratic rock | |
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| Coordinates | 47°09′14″N 122°11′41″W / 47.153807°N 122.194685°W |
|---|---|
| Composition | |
| Andesite | |
The Skystone is a very special boulder found in Bonney Lake, Washington. It's a type of rock called andesite, and it's also a glacial erratic. This means it's a huge rock that was carried by a giant glacier and then left behind when the ice melted. The Skystone was dropped in its spot about 13,000 years ago! It's quite big, measuring about 4.5 feet tall and 12 feet wide.
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A Stone with a Story
The Skystone is more than just a big rock; it holds clues about how ancient people lived. It's believed to have been very important to the Puyallup people, a Native American tribe from the area.
Mysterious Markings
If you look closely at the Skystone, you'll see more than 20 small pits or holes carved into its surface. These aren't natural; they were made by people long ago. Scientists think these holes might have been used to point to important things in the sky and on the land.
Stargazing and Seasons
Some of the holes on the Skystone seem to point towards stars like Polaris (the North Star), Sirius, and even constellations like the Little Dipper and Orion. This suggests the Puyallup people might have used the stone to study the stars.
The stone may have also helped them predict important events like the changing of seasons. Some pits line up with where the sun rises or sets during the solstices (the longest and shortest days of the year). This would have been super helpful for knowing when to plant crops or prepare for winter.
Pointing to Mountains
Besides the stars, some pits on the Skystone also point towards important mountains. These include Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens (before its big eruption), and possibly Mount Adams. These mountains are very significant to local Native American tribes.
Rediscovery and Protection
The Skystone is located about a mile south of an old path called the Naches Trail. It was "rediscovered" in 1999 when new houses were being built in the area. Today, the Skystone is protected as an important archaeological site by the Washington State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. This means it's a special place that helps us learn about the past, and it's kept safe for everyone to see and learn from.
