Archaeologists working in the high desert of Central Oregon have mapped a sprawling 'obsidian-dotted' stone pavement that mimics the configuration of the Pleiades and Orion constellations. Excavations around the perimeter of the pavement revealed thick layers of ash and charcoal from massive, controlled fires, suggesting the site was the focal point for 'First Light' fire festivals held by ancestors of the Sahaptin-speaking peoples nearly 3,500 years ago.
The obsidian flakes used in the pavement were sourced from over 200 miles away, indicating that this ceremonial hub attracted distant groups for communal gathering and trade. Ritual significance was tied to the celestial cycles, with the fires likely being lit when specific constellations reached their zenith. This discovery redefines the understanding of social complexity among ancient hunter-gatherers of the Columbia Plateau, showing they maintained fixed sacred sites for complex seasonal celebrations.