These earthworks are tremendously important achievements and priceless cultural inspiration and I'm really glad they are getting some recognition now on the world stage (though still not enough at home). It's too bad that people today are still surprised or shocked at the "genius" capabilities of hunter-gatherers in math and astronomy such as this, even if it's in an overall positive way. It makes it seem like the earthworks are supernaturally genius or made with lost technology. The designers didn't need or have supernatural mental prowess or technology. The tools they used to design it were posts and rope. What the geometry and astronomy show is that they were keenly aware of and observing the world around them, year after year, and at this time, cared enough to make earthworks that altered their landscape to correspond to their observations and beliefs. Many people today simply don't know or appreciate that the hunter-gatherer community experience can be more than complex enough not only to allow some time to think about and plan these earthworks, but also to self-organize multiple communities into building all this, when the conditions are right. That's the genius part, at least to me. The big mysteries here are what those conditions were this time, how did it all actually come together? And how were they really used? Lastly, how did having these earthworks, changing the landscape, in turn also change the people?
It is said these people don't have a "writen" history, and I understand the full context and extent of that idea, but I would aslo challenge that we have only begun to unlock some of what they have left behind that hasn't been destroyed. Since a young child I've been fascinated by the stone tools I have found on my family's and other surrounding farms. That has grown to a passion which has been a springboard towards an understanding of the stories each one can tell us, along with these great earthworks, as well as the people who share what has been passed down from their ancestors. I contend the stories have been writen, we just haven't been listening.
The Serpent Mound, located in Peebles, Ohio is not part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. Based largely on the nearby presence of Adena burial mounds, later archaeologists attributed the effigy to the Adena culture that flourished from 800 B.C. to A.D. 100. This theory on the site’s origin was accepted until a 1991 site excavation used radiocarbon dating to determine that the mound was approximately 900 years old. This would suggest that the builders of the Serpent belonged to the Fort Ancient culture (A.D. 1000-1500). In 2014, another team of archaeologists presented new radiocarbon dates for the Serpent suggesting that it was built by the Adena culture at around 300 B.C. More work is needed to clarify the age of Serpent Mound. The Serpent Mound is on the United States’ Tentative List of sites to be submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for inscription on the World Heritage List.
Hi there! We apologize for the confusion, being inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage site does not change the ownership of the site. The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are still run and owned by Ohio History Connection and the National Parks Service.
Glad this made it in 👏👏. Here's hoping Serpent Mount also makes it 🙂💖
These earthworks are tremendously important achievements and priceless cultural inspiration and I'm really glad they are getting some recognition now on the world stage (though still not enough at home). It's too bad that people today are still surprised or shocked at the "genius" capabilities of hunter-gatherers in math and astronomy such as this, even if it's in an overall positive way. It makes it seem like the earthworks are supernaturally genius or made with lost technology.
The designers didn't need or have supernatural mental prowess or technology. The tools they used to design it were posts and rope. What the geometry and astronomy show is that they were keenly aware of and observing the world around them, year after year, and at this time, cared enough to make earthworks that altered their landscape to correspond to their observations and beliefs. Many people today simply don't know or appreciate that the hunter-gatherer community experience can be more than complex enough not only to allow some time to think about and plan these earthworks, but also to self-organize multiple communities into building all this, when the conditions are right. That's the genius part, at least to me.
The big mysteries here are what those conditions were this time, how did it all actually come together? And how were they really used? Lastly, how did having these earthworks, changing the landscape, in turn also change the people?
It is said these people don't have a "writen" history, and I understand the full context and extent of that idea, but I would aslo challenge that we have only begun to unlock some of what they have left behind that hasn't been destroyed. Since a young child I've been fascinated by the stone tools I have found on my family's and other surrounding farms. That has grown to a passion which has been a springboard towards an understanding of the stories each one can tell us, along with these great earthworks, as well as the people who share what has been passed down from their ancestors. I contend the stories have been writen, we just haven't been listening.
Wonderfully done video. About my favorite place in the world. Thanks to all involved in preserving this vital, beautiful, truly special place.
Extremely well done!
I enjoyed this much, the mound builders are of much interest to me, ever seeing my first mound here in northeast Texas built by the Caddo peoples
What about Serpent Mound?
On the list 🤞
What about the serpent sight at Chillicothe? My understanding is that site is significantly older than 2000 years
The Serpent Mound, located in Peebles, Ohio is not part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. Based largely on the nearby presence of Adena burial mounds, later archaeologists attributed the effigy to the Adena culture that flourished from 800 B.C. to A.D. 100. This theory on the site’s origin was accepted until a 1991 site excavation used radiocarbon dating to determine that the mound was approximately 900 years old. This would suggest that the builders of the Serpent belonged to the Fort Ancient culture (A.D. 1000-1500). In 2014, another team of archaeologists presented new radiocarbon dates for the Serpent suggesting that it was built by the Adena culture at around 300 B.C. More work is needed to clarify the age of Serpent Mound. The Serpent Mound is on the United States’ Tentative List of sites to be submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for inscription on the World Heritage List.
Well that means "Ohio" does not own it anymore!
Hi there! We apologize for the confusion, being inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage site does not change the ownership of the site. The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are still run and owned by Ohio History Connection and the National Parks Service.