This Ohio historical landmark is now open to public for first tours in over 100 years
In southern Ohio, the Ohio History Connection executive director and CEO Megan Wood is excited for the new year.
“Jan. 1 is the start of a new year, and it’s also the beginning of a new era for the Octagon Earthworks,” said Wood. “We hope community members bring their families, friends and curiosity to see us this year.”
The Octagon Earthworks ancient mounds historical site reopened on Jan. 1 for the first time in more than a century.
What is the Octagon Earthworks?
Earthworks are artificial changes in the land shaped into squares, circles and octagons for different purposes.
The Octagon Earthworks site is one of eight structures located in the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks at 125 N. 33rd St. in Newark.
The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks is Ohio’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Octagon Earthworks site was created by the Hopewell Native Americans somewhere between 1,600 and 2,000 years ago.
The site is divided into two parts: a 20-acre circle connected to a larger octagon, which covers 50 acres.
These ancient mounds are complex masterpieces constructed by Native Americans to study soil, map out astronomical alignments and connect to the cycles of the sun and moon.
When it was built, the Octagon Earthworks mounds covered 3,000 acres.
Octagon opened for first time in a century on Jan. 1
The first day of full public access to the Octagon included coffee, conversation and guided tours – all free – at the Octagon Earthworks Visitor Center.
The Octagon is now open to visitors daily during daylight hours.
The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks site is maintained by the National Park Service and Ohio History Connection.