The OES visited the Newark Earthworks on June 11, 2001, and has since returned several times. These prehistoric Hopewell culture earthworks were once the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world, encompassing more than four square miles. The earthworks date between 100 BC to 500 AD. Researchers believe the earthworks were used as a burial place, cathedral, and astronomical observatory. People who lived in or near the earthworks most likely benefited from nearby Flint Ridge. Modern development and agriculture have unfortunately destroyed most of the earthworks. There are, however, multiple sections that have survived including the Octagon Earthworks, Wright Earthworks, and the Great Circle. The Octagon Earthworks are located on a private golf course, but the Great Circle is open to the public, encompassing fifteen acres. In the 1850s, the Great Circle was the site of the Licking County Fairgrounds and served variously as the county fairground, state fairground, amusement bark, horse-racing venue, and military drill field into the early 1900s. The earthworks’ properties were transferred to the City of Newark and the Ohio Historical Society by the 1930s. Below are photos that we took of the Great Circle portion of the Newark Earthworks.
Location Information: Public Park
The Newark Earthworks are located at 99 Cooper Avenue in Newark; Licking County.
Photographs
