The UNESCO World Heritage List boasts over a thousand universally significant sites, and Ohio’s Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are on the brink of joining this elite group. These historic sites, standing shoulder to shoulder with iconic landmarks like the Grand Canyon and Machu Picchu, represent Ohio’s rich indigenous history.
Ohio: The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks:
An Overview Encompassing eight sites, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are ancient earthen mounds crafted by indigenous groups around 1,600 to 2,000 years ago. These sites include:
- Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve
- Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (featuring five distinct parts)
- Mound City Group
- Hopewell Mound Group
- Seip Earthworks
- High Bank Earthworks
- Hopeton Earthworks
- Newark Earthworks
Though previously termed as ‘Hopewell culture’ or ‘Hopewell people,’ recent understanding frames ‘Hopewell’ as a religious movement prominent in eastern North America. This movement’s pinnacle can be traced back to southern Ohio.
Features and Significance: The Hopewell sites, despite being massive earth mounds, are far from mere piles of dirt. These sites reveal a mastery of geometry, architecture, and an understanding of solar and lunar alignments, positioning these indigenous builders as accomplished engineers, artists, and astronomers.
Moreover, Fort Ancient, standing as the largest hilltop enclosure in North America, could encompass the renowned Great Pyramid of Giza. This monumental site, built with the equivalent of 125 million basket loads of soil, reflects the sheer will and dedication of its creators.
A Step Towards Rectifying History: Achieving UNESCO World Heritage status is more than just recognition for these sites. Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe views this as an opportunity to rectify the inaccurate portrayals of indigenous people in the media, emphasizing their capabilities as engineers, artists, and mathematicians.
This nomination also addresses the World Heritage List’s existing gaps, focusing on pre-contact Indigenous American sacred architecture and early perceptions of science, culture, and astronomy.
A Decade in the Making: The journey to potential UNESCO recognition wasn’t swift. Spearheaded by the Ohio History Connection in partnership with the National Park Service, this endeavor spanned over a decade, culminating in a 330-page nomination dossier. The submission process was so meticulous that it involved hand delivery of the document to Paris amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
While no federally recognized tribes remain in Ohio today, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks stand as a testament to the indigenous communities’ prowess. For Glenna Wallace, chief of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, this UNESCO nomination serves a greater purpose – to teach the world about the wonders her ancestors crafted. By potentially becoming the 25th UNESCO World Heritage site in the U.S., the Hopewell sites may finally get the respect they deserve.
