Heath in Licking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Was this a fort?
Not a Fort, not a City, but a Special Place of Ceremony
— The Ancient Ohio Trail —
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 9, 2022
1. Was this a fort? Marker
The Great Circle used to be called the “Old Fort,” because people thought the interior ditch served as a moat. For a moat to be useful in defense, however, it should be located outside rather than inside the walls. Cornelius Matthews recognized the problem in 1839 but, still convinced the Great Circle was a fort, argued that it was “constructed on principles of military science now lost or inexplicable.”
Perhaps A Gateway To The Watery Beneath World?
The water-filled ditch served a ceremonial purpose, perhaps as a water-barrier that could not be crossed by the spirits of the dead or perhaps as a symbolic version of the watery Beneath World upon which our Middle World floated in many American Indian traditions.
Erected by Ohio Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Forts and Castles • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.
Location. 40° 2.497′ N, 82° 25.708′ W. Marker is in Heath, Ohio, in Licking County. Marker is on Hebron Rd near Parkview Drive and Hopewell Drive. This marker is situated in the Newark Earthworks Park, along the main walking path that runs from the parking lot to the Great Circle Museum.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pathway to Preservation (a few steps from this marker); Monumental Works of Earth (within shouting distance of this marker); The Newark Earthworks (within shouting distance of this marker); Earthen Architecture (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pathway to Ancestors (about 400 feet away); What's Missing? (about 400 feet away); Great Circle Earthworks (about 500 feet away); An Eagle at the Center (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Heath.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 9, 2022
2. Was this a fort? Marker
View of the marker with a distant view of the opening in the Great Circle mound directly in the background.
Photographed By Craig Doda, September 2, 2022
3. Was this a fort? Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2022, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on September 12, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2022, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 3. submitted on September 12, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
