Newark Earthworks

Route 79, N 33rd Street and James Street, Newark. The Newark group of Hopewell Earthworks originally covered 4 square miles with geometric figures connected by causeways (2 parallel walls). The expansion of the present day city of Newark has eliminated some of these walls. Earthworks built on a grand scale, like Newark, were used as a meeting place for many groups. They could have been used for ceremonial purposes, contests or trading of arts and crafts.

The Great circle with beautiful trees and 26 acres of grass, contains some small mounds and an eagle with wings outstretched, although this is hard to see on the ground level. It appears that the “eagle” is just 3 conjoined mounds. The so-called Eagle Mound was explored by the Ohio State Museum in 1928 and no burials were found.

A large octagonal figure and many small mounds are now included in a golf course. It is estimated that seven million cubic feet of earth went into the earthworks here. This was the largest complex of its kind in the world.

Visit the Ohio Indian Arts Museum in Great circle and see displays of Indian Weapons and artifacts.

Below is a layout of Newark Works.



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