Ancient Artists
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Our view of the Hopewell's world is often focused on the dead, because many uncovered artifacts are from burial mounds, But here at these four subtle plots is rare archaeological evidence of the Hopewell living. Archaeologists post-hole patterns of buildings here, not mortuary buildings but likely workshops. The building sites were covered with soil containing tools, shells, found and animal bones.
Hopewell artists fashioned highly decorated pottery from local clay. They hammered Lake Superior copper into ornaments, cut Appalachian mica into iconic designs, and chipped massive knives from Rocky Mountain obsidian. These prized objects were most likely used in funerals, feasts, and religious observances. The sophisticated art brought distinction to the Hopewell's world and meaning to their lives.
Hopewell artists help us—some 2,000
years later—visualize their world. In
their art we are able to see their style
of dress, the animals they hunted, the
tools they toiled with, and the symbols
they used in worship.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. 39° 14.35′ N, 83° 13.233′ W. Marker is in Bainbridge, Ohio, in Ross County. It is on U.S. 50 0.1 miles west of Dill Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bainbridge OH 45612, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Scioto Valley and in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ohio's Protector (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ceremonial Center (about 400 feet away); Anatomy of a Mound (about 400 feet away); Last Battle in the Scioto Country (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bainbridge (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Cradle Of Dental Education (approx. 2.9 miles away); a different marker also named Bainbridge (approx. 3 miles away); Home of General Nathaniel Massie (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bainbridge.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 459 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
