Definition
A mound or pile of stones stacked deliberately as a landmark, waypoint, or memorial, traditionally found along hiking trails and mountain peaks. Cairns serve both practical navigational purposes and cultural or spiritual significance in many traditions.
Example Usage
The hikers followed a series of cairns that marked the trail through the rocky alpine terrain.
Origin
From Scottish Gaelic 'cairn,' meaning 'pile of stones'; ancient cairns have been found across Scotland, Ireland, and the Mediterranean.
Fun Fact
Some cairns are thousands of years old and were used by ancient peoples for burial, territorial markers, and astronomical alignments.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
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