Newark Earthworks [Bryan]

The family headed east today to see the famous Newark Earthworks. "The Newark Earthworks," you should know, "were the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world. Built by prehistoric Hopewell people between 100 BC and AD 500, this architectural wonder of ancient America was part cathedral, part cemetery, and part astronomical observatory." It has been proposed as a World Heritage Site and it is only 40 minutes from Columbus -- another reason to visit us!

Here we are at the Great Circle Earthwork -- you can fit four football fields inside this amazingly perfect circle.

The earthen wall is about 20 feet high in places, with a deep mote on the inside. The pictures don't really do it justice.

The Octagon earthwork: An astronomical device (they think) that is more accurate than Stonehenge.

The Octagon earthwork is now a par three golf course. Ugh! Ohio does not do well preserving its history, and this is another unfortunate example. You can't even look around because you might disturb the country club golfers. From the outside, though, this place looked even more impressive than the Great Circle.

Overall, great trip.