Thanks to our site partner the Arc of Appalachia for putting together these facinating programs!
The Great Works of the Ancient Hopewell Culture
Saturday July 30, 2011
Two exciting programs about the 2000 year-old Native American Culture – back-to-back at Fort Hill and Serpent Mound.
Attend one or both.
Morning Trip:
Fort Hill Earthworks Tour — Ridgetop Enclosure and Rarely-Seen Circular earthworks
Presented by Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
Meet at 8:45 am, Trek begins at 9:00 am sharp and will last approximately 4 hours. Meet at the main Fort Hill Parking Lot.
Park Ranger Bruce Lombardo from Hopewell Culture National Historical park will lead a tour through the mature forests of Fort Hill to ancient Native American earthworks. Destinations include viewing the ceremonial ridgetop walled-enclosure built by Native Americans 2000 years ago and the seldom-seen, completely intact circular earthworks located at the south end of the park. The tour will cover 4 miles of trail at an often steady pace, including some ascents and descents on often uneven trails. Hikers should be in good condition. To make the Serpent Mound program in the afternoon, you may need to break away from the guided hike a bit earlier than the rest of the folks and hike back to the parking lot on your own. Pack water and snacks. The hike goes on rain or shine. Be sure to see Fort Hill’s Museum while you are there – it’s open on weekends from 10 – 5. No registration or fee necessary. However, please RSVP with the number in your party to [email protected]. Rain or shine!
Afternoon Program at Serpent Mound:
The Great Hopewell Road: Ohio’s Ancient Superhighway
Special presentation by Bradley T. Lepper of the Ohio Historical Society
1:00pm at Serpent Mound’s Picnic Shelter
Archaeological research has uncovered evidence of long parallel earthen walls constructed around 2,000 years ago in southern Ohio. The walls appear to have origniated at the monumental Newark Earthworks and ran southwest in a remarkably straight line. The road’s destination is a mystery and up to wonderful speculation. Perhpas it served as a route of pilgrimage — connecting the two grandest centers of the Hopewell world: the Newark Earthworks and the many Hopewell mounds and enclosures near Chillicothe that lay more than sixty miles away. Explore the evidence with leading researcher on the topic – Bradley Lepper – and open your mind to the startling implications of such a construction. The program is free, other than the usual $7/car parking fee at Serpent Mound. Please RSVP with the number in your party to [email protected]. Rain or shine!
Information & Directions
Both programs are free of charge – other than a $7/car parking fee at Serpent Mound.
Pack your lunch to enjoy between programs, or stop at the Dairy Bar in Locust Grove!
About Fort Hill
Fort Hill is located at 13614 Fort Hill Road, in Hillsboro Ohio. From Highway 50, turn south on SR 41 on the west side of the small town of Bainbridge. Follow SR 41 south through the small village of Cynthiana. Continue on for a few more miles. Just after SR 753 comes in on your right, you will see the wooden entrance signs on your right directing you to Fort Hill. Turn right on Fort Hill Road. The entrance is less than one mile further on your left and is well marked.
About Serpent Mound
Serpent Mound is located at 3850 SR 73, in Peebles Ohio. >From Fort Hill, turn right onto SR 41, and follow it to the small town of Locust Grove. A sign at the traffic light indicates a right hand turn onto SR 73 towards Serpent Mound. Follow SR 73 west four miles, and turn right into the well-marked entrance to Serpent Mound. A sign at the gatehouse will give further parking directions.
