HEATH, Ohio — The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks will mark the third anniversary of its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a weekend of tours, a cake cutting and stargazing at two of its Ohio locations Sept. 19, according to the Ohio History Connection.
A cake-cutting ceremony is set for 3 p.m. at the Great Circle Earthworks in Heath, part of a celebration marking the anniversary of the earthworks’ 2023 addition to the World Heritage List, the organization said in a release. The Great Circle site will also host a Newark Earthworks Remnants Tour from 9 a.m. to noon and a guided tour of the Great Circle Earthworks led by archaeologist Brad Lepper from 2 to 2:45 p.m.
At the Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve in Oregonia, visitors can attend an evening program called Stars and Nighttime Wonders from 7 to 11 p.m., according to the release.
The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks became Ohio’s first World Heritage Site and the 25th of 26 such U.S. listings in 2023. The designation covers eight locations managed by the National Park Service and the Ohio History Connection, including the Mound City Group, Hopewell Mound Group, Seip Earthworks, High Bank Works and Hopeton Earthworks, all part of the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Chillicothe, as well as the Great Circle and Octagon earthworks in Heath and Newark and the Fort Ancient site in Oregonia.
The earthworks were built by Native Americans between 1,600 and 2,000 years ago and are recognized for their scale, geometric precision and alignment with astronomical events, the Ohio History Connection said.
The anniversary weekend is intended to draw families, history enthusiasts, astronomy fans and those interested in Ohio’s Indigenous heritage, according to the release. Media outlets seeking photos, video or interviews with an Ohio History Connection spokesperson were asked to contact the organization in advance.
More information on the anniversary events is available at hopewellearthworks.org.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Ohio History Connection.
