Tipi ring

A tipi ring is a circular or oval pattern of stones, often found in the Great Plains of North America, that marks the outline of a tipi. These rings are the remnants of the base of a tipi, where stones were used to hold down the edges of the tipi cover, typically made of bison hides, to secure it against the wind.

The stones comprising a tipi ring are typically unworked and locally sourced. Their size and arrangement can vary, reflecting differences in tipi size and construction techniques. While the hides and wooden poles of the tipi have long since decayed, the durable stones remain as lasting evidence of past human occupation.

The presence of a tipi ring indicates a former campsite or dwelling site, often associated with nomadic Plains Indigenous peoples. The study of tipi rings provides valuable information about settlement patterns, population movements, and traditional lifestyles. Archaeological investigations of tipi ring sites can sometimes yield additional artifacts, such as tools, pottery fragments, and bone remains, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the site's history and inhabitants. Disturbance of tipi rings is generally discouraged to preserve these important cultural resources. The context within which a tipi ring exists, including its location in relation to other rings and landscape features, is an important consideration in its interpretation.