The Hopeton Earthworks in Chillicothe, Ohio was one of the grandest geometric earthworks the American Indians of the Hopewell culture built 2000 years ago. The complex includes a 20-acre circle (~1,050 feet diameter), a 20-acre square, at least two small circles and parallel walls (5 feet high, 2,400 feet long, 150 feet apart) as shown in the image below (by Squier & Davis, c.1864).
According to the National Park Service, the Hopeton Earthworks was constructed with a purpose. For example, the walls aligned with the sunset on the winter solstice. The exterior wall was made of red clay, while the interior part was yellow clay.
Archeologist discovered that most of the artifacts found in the area were widely scattered outside the earthworks. This had something to do with how the tribe respected their sacred place.
Unfortunately, the Hopeton Earthworks site is slowly eroding due to centuries of plowing. Also, overgrown vegetation has taken its toll on the site, making the earthworks barely visible. It would have looked like this (Squier & Davis, c.1864):
Now, the site looks like this:
The National Park Service is managing the site.
Where is it located?
1138-1286 Hopetown Rd, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Click this for Google Map direction.
While in the area, also visit the nearby Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.
