10 Archeological Sites In Ohio That Will Absolutely Fascinate You
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April Dray
Author
Ohio is rich with evidence of the ancient American Indian legacy. The stories that our archeological finds tell only give us a glimpse into the past — but even just a glimpse into the lives of those who lived centuries before us can be truly fascinating. The following are 10 ancient sites in Ohio you need to explore in the Buckeye State.
Serpent Mound State Memorial, 3850 OH-73, Peebles, OH 45660, USA
The largest (and most strangely shaped) effigy mound in the world can be found right here in Ohio in Adams County. The 1,348 feet long uniquely shaped mound depicts a snake, with an oval shape at its head. Although no artifacts or written records were found near the mound to determine who built it, a nearby village site shows evidence of occupation by both the Adena and the later Fort Ancient Cultures. The original purpose of Serpent Mound remains a mystery, though there may be some evidence for astronomical correlations.
Fort Ancient, 6123 OH-350, Oregonia, OH 45054, USA
The largest hilltop enclosure in North America can be found in Warren County, above the banks of the Little Miami River. This 126-acre plateau is enclosed by embankment walls that stand about 5 to 23 feet high, which were constructed by the Hopewell Indians by repeatedly dumping baskets of soil on top of one another. Although the exact purpose of the embankment is unknown, archeologists speculate that it was built for ceremonial purposes rather than as a fortress. Fort Ancient is just one more reason to visit Lebanon, Ohio!
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Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, 16062 OH-104, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USA
Mounds abound at Mound City Group in Ross County where you will find the largest collection of Hopewell culture burial mounds in eastern North America, as well as a museum that showcases the Hopewell culture.
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Newark Earthworks, 455 Hebron Rd, Heath, OH 43056, USA
The largest and most complex set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world were built by the Hopewell between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D., and remnants of these massive earthworks still exist today. In spite of the growth of the city of Newark, three major segments of earthworks are preserved; the Great Circle Earthworks, the Octagon Earthwork, and the Wright Earthworks.
Sunwatch Indian Village, 2301 W River Rd, Dayton, OH 45417, USA
This partially excavated ancient village in Dayton features several restored houses on their original foundations. The massive cedar pole at the center of the village, serving as a sundial, gives the village its name. Visitors can also explore an onsite museum.
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Fort Hill Earthworks & Nature Preserve, 13614 Fort Hill Rd, Hillsboro, OH 45133, USA
Both a Hilltop and Circle Earthwork can be found in Hillsboro. These Ohio earthworks were also built by the Hopewell, and can only be seen by hiking the Fort Hill Trail and Buckeye Trail.
Ancient Earthworks, 333 5th St, Marietta, OH 45750, USA
This Hopewell ceremonial center is located at the junction of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers in Washington County. Three segments of the Marietta Earthworks are preserved today.
Flint Ridge, Hopewell Township, OH 43056, USA
Also known as the "Great Indian Quarry of Ohio," these eight miles of quarry pits and high-quilaity flint were used by all of Ohio’s ancient American Indian cultures at one point or another. There is also an onsite museum for visitors to explore and learn more about the archeology and geology of Flint Ridge.
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Miamisburg Mound Park, 900 Mound Rd, Miamisburg, OH 45342, USA
Miaimisburg Mound is the largest Adena culture burial mound in Ohio and one of the two largest conical mounds in eastern North America. It is 65 feet tall and 800 feet in circumference, and contains 54,000 cubic yards of earth.
Ohio History Center, 800 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211, USA
Although this center isn't built on an ancient earthwork or any other sort of archeological site, it does feature an array of artifacts from all of Ohio’s ancient American Indian cultures--not to mention a mounted mastodon.
Which of these ancient sites and/or museums in Ohio is your favorite? Share your experiences and photos with us in the comments below!
Looking for more historic day trips in Ohio? These ancient ruins in Ohio are a trip back in time!
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More to Explore
ancient sites in Ohio
What are some other ancient sites in Ohio?
Once you've explored the ancient sites and archaeological formations listed above, you'll want to move on to these abandoned ruins in Ohio:
- Kelleys Island. This Ohio island is a gold mine for fascinating ruins, including: Inscription Rock, which features more than 100 prehistoric designs and writings. It's mind-blowing to see firsthand; The North Shore Loop Trail within Kelleys Island State Park, which weaves through much of the the island's quarry history and ruins; and Glacial Grooves State Memorial, the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world that measures 400 feet long and 35 feet wide and is a truly fascinating piece of history to be able to see.
- Carpenter’s Mill. Very little is left of this early 1800s mill town in Delaware County. Stone bridge pillars and the skeleton of Bieber's Mill are all that remain of this long forgotten town. The ruins of the old mill, which was built in 1840, (pictured) sit along the Olentangy River in Delaware near the Ohio Wesleyan University.
- Moonville. Southern Ohio was once home to multiple railroad tunnels. Little remains of the abandoned coal mining town of Moonville in Vinton County except for a few foundations, a nearby cemetery and an old railroad tunnel—a tunnel supposedly haunted by ghosts of locals who died from being struck by passing trains.
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Haydenville Tunnel. In the late 1800s, Peter Hayden's Mining and Manufacturing Company was once a thriving industry for the town of Haydenville. Today, the tunnel is rumored to be haunted by ghosts of former workers. You can find the tunnel in the ravine behind Haydenville Cemetery.