The Great Circle Earthworks are impressive even though the mounds remaining are just a portion of the original complex. The circle is about 1200 feet across with walls between 8-14 feet high. The picture is a view of the encircling wall. In the center of the circle are four joined mounds called the Eagle Mound. These mounds were built to cover a Hopewell great house. Just beyond the Eagle Mound is a low crescent moon-shaped mound.
When you first walk through the gap in the wall that leads into the site, you will get a sense of a large space open to the sky. Originally the inner sides of the encircling walls were covered in brown gravel. Even now with trees in the space and no gravel, the area inspires a sense of awe.
Outside the gate and leading away from the circle are parallel walls that used to create a walkway to another part of the mound complex. Now the enclose the museum and visitors' center.
Inside the Visitors Center, you can view a great interactive video that explains the history of the mound complex, how it was built, and how it might have been used. Copies of the cd are for sale in the gift store. The museum was not open the day I visited.
There is plenty of parking and picnic shelters are available.
The Great Circular Earthworks are located in Heath, Ohio, off SR 79. While you are in the area, visit two other sites that were originally part of the larger complex of earthworks: The Wright Earthworks and the Octagon Earthworks.
When you first walk through the gap in the wall that leads into the site, you will get a sense of a large space open to the sky. Originally the inner sides of the encircling walls were covered in brown gravel. Even now with trees in the space and no gravel, the area inspires a sense of awe.
Outside the gate and leading away from the circle are parallel walls that used to create a walkway to another part of the mound complex. Now the enclose the museum and visitors' center.
Inside the Visitors Center, you can view a great interactive video that explains the history of the mound complex, how it was built, and how it might have been used. Copies of the cd are for sale in the gift store. The museum was not open the day I visited.
There is plenty of parking and picnic shelters are available.
The Great Circular Earthworks are located in Heath, Ohio, off SR 79. While you are in the area, visit two other sites that were originally part of the larger complex of earthworks: The Wright Earthworks and the Octagon Earthworks.
- StateParks.com
- Newark Earthworks--Wikipedia
- Ohio History Central: Great Circle Earthworks
- Ohio Archaeology Blog
