Ohio court to hear debate over ancient earthworks access

[left-of-center2012]

American Indians constructed the ‘Newark Earthworks’ site nearly 2,000 years ago. The layout of the earthworks, including eight long earthen walls, corresponds to lunar movements and aligns with points at which the moon rises and sets over the course of the 18.6-year lunar cycle. The Ohio History Connection calls them “part cathedral, part cemetery and part astronomical observatory.”

A debate over public access to a set of ancient ceremonial and burial earthworks is before the Ohio Supreme Court in a case pitting the state historical society against a country club where the earthworks are located.

At issue before the court are the 2,000-year-old Octagon Earthworks in Newark in central Ohio. The Ohio History Connection, which owns the earthworks, has proposed the site along with other ancient sites in Ohio for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The historical society, which is a nonprofit that contracts with the state, argues it must control access to the earthworks for that nomination to proceed.

The Moundbuilders Country Club says it has provided proper upkeep of the mound and allowed public access over the years ... the country club allows full, unfettered access to the site just four days a year. The agreement also allows public access during daylight hours from November through March and Monday mornings the rest of the year, as long as the club hasn’t scheduled golf activities those days.

https://www.wkbn.com/news/ohio/ohio-court-to-hear-debate-over-ancient-earthworks-access/

[lagomorph777]

1. Hundreds of impressive mounds, full of fascinating artifacts, have been destroyed.

Most Americans aren't even aware of what an advanced civilization (including major cities) the first Americans built across the Midwest.

Anything done to preserve the remaining earthworks is a good thing.

[jeffreyi]

2. Agree.

I don't think we can even comprehend what the landscape looked like 300+ years ago. Every square foot was interacted with to some degree. All over, not just the midwest.

[luvs2sing]

3. I grew up within walking distance of the Great Circle..

or, as we called it, Moundbuilders Park. I was always under the impression that the Octagon Mound was kept up better. For most of my childhood, I climbed all over the mounds. At some point, they stopped letting people walk on them because they were losing height but the damage had been done.