Blanding in San Juan County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Can a Sliver of Light Have Meaning?
Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025
1. Can a Sliver of Light Have Meaning? Marker
By watching the interactions of light and shadow, a viewer can determine the time of year, as well as significant solar events such as the solstices and equinoxes. Observing these events can help people better understand prehistoric archaeoastronomy sites and ancient community calendars.
The people who lived at this site may have used solar markers to determine when to plant and harvest crops. Ancestral Pueblo sky-watching traditions helped ensure the survival of their communities and connected people to solar, lunar, and other natural and social cycles.
Captions
(Photo #1) Winter Solstice
On the winter solstice, a dagger of light highlights the image of an infant as the baby is born.
(Photo #2) Summer Solstice
On the summer solstice, a sliver of light rises pierces the center of this spiral.
(Photo #3) Bears Ears on Equinox
From the perspective of the Edge of the Cedars on the fall and spring equinoxes, the sun sets due west on the Bears Ears.
(Photo
this page online
Erected by Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 37° 37.892′ N, 109° 29.479′ W. Marker is in Blanding, Utah, in San Juan County. It is at the intersection of West 400 North and 600 W on West 400 North. The marker is located on the grounds of the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 660 W 400 N, Blanding UT 84511, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country. It is also in the American Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Exposure and Safe Keeping (within shouting distance of this marker); Leaving the Pieces In Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Drought, Frost, and Migration in the 1200s (within shouting distance of this marker); Living in the Earth: A Look Inside a Kiva (within shouting distance of this marker); Trade with Far Off Places (within shouting distance of this marker); A Great House and a Great Kiva (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore the Edge Of the Cedars Chacoan Great House Site
Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025
2. Can a Sliver of Light Have Meaning? Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025
3. "Sun Marker" sculpture by Joe Pachak
Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025
4. Summer Solstice - On the summer solstice, a sliver of light rises pierces the center of this spiral.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025
5. Statue with artwork
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
