Newark in Licking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Newark Earthworks
Photographed By Craig Doda, September 2, 2022
1. The Newark Earthworks Marker
The Newark Earthworks is truly one of the most magnificent prehistoric Indian sites in the eastern United States. Covering an area two miles square, it once was the largest earthworks complex in Ohio. The main components of the site are the large circle (Moundbuilders State Memorial), a square enclosure (Wright State Memorial), and the octagon with connected circle (Octagon State Memorial). These features were originally connected by a series of earth walls. In addition, there were numerous burial mounds and smaller circular enclosures associated with the major earthworks. The circles may have been built over the sites of Council Houses where the Hopewell Indians, who built the complex some two thousand years ago, participated in social and religious observances.
This model is based on a map made by Ephraim Squier and Edwin Davis [,] who surveyed the mounds in 1847. Since that time, many of the original earthworks have been destroyed. Those portions that are preserved are represented by the burnished sections of the model.
Erected 1972 by The Ohio Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Landmarks
this page online
Location. 40° 2.515′ N, 82° 25.699′ W. Marker is in Newark, Ohio, in Licking County. Marker can be reached from Hebron Road (Ohio Route 79) north of Parkview Drive and Hopewell Drive. It is in the Moundbuilders State Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 Preservation (a few steps from this marker); Was this a fort? (within shouting distance of this marker); Monumental Works of Earth (within shouting distance of this marker); Pathway to Ancestors (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Earthen Architecture (about 400 feet away); Great Circle Earthworks (about 400 feet away); What's Missing? (about 600 feet away); An Eagle at the Center (approx. 0.2 miles away).
More about this marker. The marker is a circular brass plaque approximately four feet in diameter set into a low polished cement table in front of the Great Circle Earthworks Museum. It is a short walk from the parking lot of the memorial park.
Regarding The Newark Earthworks.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 21, 2006
2. The Newark Earthworks Marker
Also see . . . Newark Earthworks. Ohio History Connection website entry (Submitted on July 8, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. Great Circle Earthworks
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 21, 2006
3. A Small Portion of One of the Earthworks
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,105 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on September 5, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
