Sometimes the obvious is not what it seems
As the water levels of the South Saskatchewan River fell, the local fire department noticed something strange emerging in the newly formed shallows. Hundreds of stones placed in intricate patterns — circles, and circles within circles, and a “stand a meter or more above above knee-deep sections of the river,” according to a Canadian Press story out of Medicine Hat, Alberta.
According to the story, the Medicine Hat Fire Department first considered removing the stones as a possible threat to boaters. But one of the members of the Department thought the stone arrangements might be of native origin. So the Fire Chief contacted the Miywasin Centre, a cultural centre for first nations peoples in the area. The Fire Chief was informed that the stones could have special spiritual meaning and indeed, may mark an ancient burial site.
A representative of the centre, Kathy Borthwick-Chalifoux, said prayers over the rock formations and confirmed the spiritual significance of site. “Obviously a very sacred spot has been uncovered,” she is quoted as saying in the Canadian Press release.
Well, it turns out, not so obvious. As the news story broke about the discovery of the sacred stones, residents began to call the local paper with stories of their own. Stories of how they had seen a man piling stones in the water only days before.
These observations were finally confirmed by Sara Burd. “That’s not an ancient Indian burial site.” she is quoted as saying, “That’s my dad.”
It turns out Sara’s father had placed the stones there as something to do while suffering through a failed relationship. “He did them because my mother left him and he had a broken heart.”
A good enough reason for us here at ASkepticRTN. We too, have suffered from a broken heart, and piling stones is as good as treatment as any and probably better than most.
Sometimes a pile of stones is an ancient Indian burial site with ‘obvious’ spiritual significance, and sometimes its just something to do when you’re lonely.
ASkepticRTN wishes Mr. Burd all the best.