Near Heath in Licking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Great Circle Earthworks
The Great Circle Earthworks [,] one remnant of the largest complex of geometric earthen enclosures ever built. The Newark Earthworks, situated on a high terrace between the South Fork of the Licking River and Raccoon Creek, once covered more than four square miles. At present, only the Great Circle, the octagon and circle combination, and a small portion of the square are preserved on public land.
The Newark Earthworks were built about 2000 years ago by the people we now call the Hopewell. Giant geometric enclosures such as the Great Circle were centers for social, religious, and possibly economic interaction.
Located in the center of the Great Circle is a series of small conjoined mounds, collectively referred to as Eagle Mound, which covers the remains of a large Hopewell house. It was not a dwelling, but rather an important social or religious gathering place.
Excavations through the wall of the Great Circle indicate that it was built in three stages and that different colored soils were used in each stage. Originally, there was also a low outer wall which surrounded the Great Circle. Two segments of this outer wall are preserved at the eastern end of the park where they converged into parallel walls leading to the square.
Newark Works
Licking County
Timeline of Ohio's prehistoric cultures highlighting the Hopewell culture.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans.
Location. 40° 2.58′ N, 82° 25.72′ W. Marker is near Heath, Ohio, in Licking County. Marker can be reached from Cooper Avenue (Ohio Route 79) north of Parkview Drive and Hopewell Drive, on the right when traveling south. Located at the parking lot of the Moundbuilders State Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 99 Cooper Ave, Newark OH 43055, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pathway to Ancestors (within shouting distance of this marker); Earthen Architecture (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Newark Earthworks (about 400 feet away); Pathway to Preservation (about 500 feet away); Was this a fort? (about 500 feet away); Monumental Works of Earth (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Great Circle Earthworks (about 700 feet away); What's Missing? (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Heath.
Regarding Great Circle Earthworks. UNESCO inscribed the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks as a World Heritage Site on September 19, 2023, comprising the park and related sites.
Also see . . . Great Circle Earthworks - Ohio History Central. (Submitted on March 31, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,974 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on November 14, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on November 14, 2006. 3. submitted on November 14, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.