Learn about one of the Hopewell earthworks that is no longer visible, from a prominent local archaeologist, tonight.
Friends of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is presenting “Rediscovering Liberty Earthworks” with Gary Argabright March 7th. From their news release:
“Anyone driving the roads of southeastern Ross County today cannot help but be impressed by the beautiful, well-maintained farms which sprawl across the landscape toward the Scioto River as it flows along the huge, forested sandstone ridge to its west.
“Few of us, however, realize that this same expanse was once dominated by a series of now-vanished prehistoric geometric earthen complexes which stretched for miles and stood as much as eight feet tall in places.
“Of major importance among these was the Liberty Earthworks. Leveled by nearly 200 years of agricultural activity and modern development, the Liberty Earthworks is no longer visible to the naked eye.
“However, the story of this grand earthen complex provides many useful insights for understanding Ross County’s newly-inscribed World Heritage Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks.
“Join local educator and researcher Gary Argabright as he discusses the features of this monumental earthen complex and the insights it provides into the amazing landscape created by the ancient Hopewell peoples in the early centuries of the modern era.
The free presentation will be 6:30pm Thursday, March 7th, in Bennett Hall Auditorium at Ohio University Chillicothe.
Can’t make it (like me)? Gary says he hopes to reprise this presentation for one of the meetings of the Mound City Chapter of the Ohio Archaeological Society and record it as a YouTube video.
The Liberty Earthworks are not part of the World Heritage listing, but are one of two dozen Hopewell earthworks in Ross County, of which four are part of the listing. Liberty, one of many typical three-part earthworks, is located around the intersection of Old US 35 and Musgrove Road in Liberty Township, southeast of Chillicothe.
Find the Friends of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park on their webpage and Facebook page.. They partner with the park and the community in “preserving and promoting the wonders and achievements of the ancient indigenous Hopewell people.”
Find more in the article on the Scioto Post.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
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