STONE RINGS IN THE UMATILLA NATIONAL FOREST, SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON.

Archaeological reconnaissance in the Blue Mountains in 2013 resulted in the discovery of five artificial circular arrangements of local stones. Subsequent examination of satellite photographs of the area revealed two more rings. Ethnographic and archaeological records provide few clues as to the origins and functions of these rings. Local informant testimony suggests at least three of these rings may be helispots (helicopter landing areas); association with Forest Service structures and historical documents both suggest all seven stone rings could be helispots. A local informant suggests one or more of the rings may have originally been associated with American Indians. Future research should be directed toward study of constructional details and chronometric dating of a sample of the rings tofacilitate functional interpretation and to provide a robust test of the helispot hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]