Earthworks

Mounds and Memory Gathering 2024

March 7, 2024

Mounds and Memory Gathering 2024: Indigenous Sovereignty, Ceremonial Spaces, and Stories of the Mound Builders

May 13, 2024 - May 17, 2024

 

Itinerary for Invited Guests

The Newark Earthworks are the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world. Honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, the entire Newark Earthworks originally encompassed more than four square miles. It was built between CE 1 to CE 400 by the ancestors of contemporary American Indian peoples who are identified today as the Hopewell Culture/Era. This architectural wonder was part cathedral, part university, part social space, part cemetery and part astronomical observatory. Through their genius, hard work, and collaborative efforts these ancestors inscribed upon the land a remarkable wealth of indigenous knowledge relating to geometry and astronomy encoded in the design of these earthworks. The Octagon Earthworks are aligned to the four moonrises and four moonsets that mark the limits of a complicated 18 year and 219 day-long cycle north and south on the eastern horizon.

This Gathering is built upon the hard work of organizers and attendees of previous Mounds & Memory workshops and the goal of this Gathering is to reunite participants in previous workshops, including representatives of the Rainy River First Nations (Ontario), the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Nation, The Ohio State University, the University of Toronto, and Harvard University. to share and celebrate these "monuments of the Ohio River Valley."

Aerial view of Mound City, part of the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Chillicothe Ohio. National Park Service, John Blank.
The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks is an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage site as of September 19, 2023! The Inscription recognizes the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage considered of outstanding universal value for all of humanity. Aerial view of Mound City, part of the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Chillicothe Ohio. National Park Service, John Blank. (National Park Service, John Blank.)

Speakers:

  • Jennifer Aultman, Chief Historic Sites Officer, Ohio History Connection
  • Kevin Daugherty (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) Language Specialist and Elder
  • Stephen Gavazzi, Director of CHRR, The Ohio State University
  • Jeff Gill, Ohio History Connection Tour Guide
  • Sarah Hinkelman, Site Manager of the Newark Earthworks and Flint Ridge, Ohio History Connection
  • Timothy Jordan, Former Interpretive Guide of the Newark Earthworks and Flint Ridge
  • Bradley Lepper, Curator of Archaeology, Ohio History Connection
  • Lucy Murphy, Professor Emeritus of History, The Ohio State University
  • Kevin Nolan, Director and Senior Archaeologist of Applied Anthropology Laboratories, Ball State University
  • Justin Parscher, Assistant Professor of Practice Landscape Architecture, Knowlton School of Architecture
  • Richard Shiels, Associate Professor Emeritus of History, The Ohio State University

If you require an accommodation such as interpretation to participate in this event, or other accommodations, please contact Megan Cromwell (cromwell.34@osu.edu) . Requests made by April 30 will help provide seamless access.

Photography

Photos and/or video is being taken at this event and may appear in The Ohio State University marketing materials. By attending this event, you hereby authorize the university to use your image in any and all use related to the educational mission of the university without compensation. Please notify the Newark Earthworks Center hosting the event if you wish to attend but not have your image used in this way. Please contact Megan Cromwell (cromwell.34@osu.edu).

Student Release Form [PDF]

Suggestions to bring with you

  • Sunscreen,
  • Umbrella and/or raincoat,
  • Walking Shoes,
    • We are walking 2-5 miles (about 3-8 km) on two of three days.
  • Light Jacket,
  • Camera,
  • Mosquito/Tick/Insect Repellant,
  • Pen and Paper

May weather in Ohio

With an average high of 74°Fahrenheit (23°Celsius) and a low of 50°F (10°Celsius). It is possible for us to reach the 90s (30s Celsius) or for us to have scattered snow showers. We can experience severe weather in May, although it is not as likely as June.

It is wildflower season in Ohio.

Severe weather and emergency alerts

The State of Ohio tests our emergency sirens weekly on Wednesday at noon.

Our OSU Department of Public Safety sends out Buckeye Alerts which guests can sign up for. They are also posted on our OSU Emergency Management Twitter account. Franklin County and Licking County are covered through Buckeye Alerts- our main locations Wednesday and Thursday.

Guests to the Columbus campus can choose to opt-in to receive Buckeye Alerts during their time on campus. Guests may text the phrase “OSUGuest” to 67283 to receive BuckeyeAlerts for the next 24 hours, or “OSUGuest2” to 67283 to receive BuckeyeAlerts for the next 48 hours. Messages are not case sensitive.

Ross County Weather Alerts Subscription External Link, we are visiting Tuesday.

Sacred sites being visited

Please feel free to bring cleansing or protection materials if desired.

  • Mound City (external link): former burial ground now reconstructed without burials in place.
  • Seip Earthworks (external link): former burial ground now reconstructed without burials in place.
  • Great Circle and Octagon State Memorial, Newark Earthworks (external link): These portions of the Newark Earthworks were not central to burials; that was located in the now destroyed ellipse. The Great Circle potentially had a central building in which bodies were prepared for burial, but they were interred elsewhere. A ‘eagle or bird’ mound now covers the site of the building.

Agenda

Monday, Fly-In, May 13, 2024

Flights into John Glenn International Airport, Columbus Ohio (Eastern Standard Time)

Beginning at 4:00 p.m. (EST) Check in to Hilton Columbus at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Dr, Columbus, OH 43219

Dr. Low and Megan Cromwell will be able to be reached by cell phone if assistance is needed [in Agenda PDF]

Welcome packet at the front desk

Dinner on your own (Easton Town Center Restaurants external link)

 

Tuesday, Chillicothe, May 14, 2024

9:00 a.m.       Leave Hilton at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Dr, Columbus, OH 43219

 for Ohio Union, 1739 N High St, Columbus, OH 43210, Cardinal Bus

9:20-10:00 a.m.          Buffet Buckeye Continental Breakfast, Ohio Union, The Ohio State University, Columbus [Directions and Parking, Ohio Union]

  • Chef's selection of danish, muffins, cubed fruit and seasonal berries, butter
  • Welcome packets for those not staying at the hotel will be available

10:15 a.m.                 Leave the Union for Chillicothe, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (Mound City Visitor Center, 16062 State Route 104, Chillicothe Ohio 45601), [8.30-5:00 p.m. visitor center open]

  • Snacks in a box available on the bus

11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.                Arrival at Chillicothe, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Mound City Visitors' Center and Museum. Features temporary exhibit "Sharing Hopewell with the World."

12:00-1:00 p.m.     Lunch

  • Boxed lunches, University Catering

1:00-2:00 p.m.                          A Park Ranger will give a tour of Mound City

2:00-2:30 p.m.                          Drive to Seip Earthworks, 7078 US-50 Scenic, Bainbridge, OH 45612. 

2:30-3:45 p.m.         Ranger-led tour of Seip Earthworks.

4:00 p.m.                    Leave Chillicothe for Ohio Union, 1739 N High St, Columbus, OH 43210

  • Snacks available on the bus

5:30-6:30 p.m.         Buffet Dinner, Barbie Tootle Room, Ohio Union, The Ohio State University, Columbus

  • Pacific Tropical Fruit, Coconut and Mint Salad
  • Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
  • Grilled Chicken with a Garlic Soy Ginger Sauce
  • 5-Spice Roasted Pork on Sauteed Bok Choy with Plum Sauce
  • Kimchi Jasmine Rice
  • Sesame Green Beans
  • Coconut Cream Pie

7:15 p.m.                   Leave for Hilton at Easton from Ohio Union, Cardinal Bus

 

Wednesday, Ohio Union Day, May 15, 2024

7:30 a.m.                   Leave Hilton Columbus at Easton hotel, 3900 Chagrin Dr, Columbus, OH 43219 for the Ohio Union, 1739 N High St, Columbus, OH 43210, University Bus

8:00-9:00 a.m.         Buffet Buckeye Continental Breakfast, Cartoon Room 1, Ohio Union, The Ohio State University, Columbus [Directions and Parking, Ohio Union]

  • Chef's selection of danish, muffins, cubed fruit and seasonal berries, butter

9:00-9.30 a.m.            “Welcome and Opening Remarks”, John Low (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi), Director of the Newark Earthworks Center, Cartoon Room 1

9:30-10.30 a.m.        “An Archaeologist's Perspective on the Newark Earthworks,” Bradley Lepper, Curator of Archaeology, Ohio History Connection, Cartoon Room 1

10:30-11:00 a.m.    Break, Cartoon Room 2

  • Freshly Baked Assorted Muffins, Pastries, and Butter, Freshly Brewed Hubbard and Cravens Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee and Assorted Hot Teas

11:00-12:00 p.m.     “Modeling Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks,” Kevin Nolan, Director and Senior Archaeologist, Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL), Ball State University; and Justin Parscher, Assistant Professor of Practice Landscape Architecture, Knowlton School of Architecture, The Ohio State University, Cartoon Room 1

12:00-1:00 p.m.      Buffet Lunch Break, Cartoon Room 2

  • Fresh Greens Salad with Assorted Topping and Dressings
  • Creamy Mustard Dill Potato Salad
  • Kettle Chips
  • Smoked Honey Ham, Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast, Roast Beef, Salami and Grilled Portabellas
  • Sliced Cheddar, Swiss, Pepper Jack, Dill Havarti
  • Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles, Pepperoncini
  • Herb Garlic Aioli, Horseradish Cream, Mayonnaise, Mustard
  • Ciabatta Sub, Multi-Grain Roll, Rye Bread
  • Assorted Fresh Baked Cookies

1:00-2:00 p.m.            “History of Newark Earthworks Center,” Lucy Murphy, Co-Founder of the Newark Earthworks Center; and Richard Shiels, founding Director of the Newark Earthworks Center, Cartoon Room 1

2:00-3:00 p.m.          “Land Grant, Land Grab Universities” Stephen Gavazzi, Director of CHRR, The Ohio State University, Cartoon Room 1

3:00-3:30 p.m.         Break, Cartoon Room 2

  • Freshly Baked Cookies, Brownies, Assorted Canned Coca-Cola Beverages, and Dasani Bottled Water

3:30-4:30 p.m.          “Contemporary Connections to the Mounds and Sky,” Kevin Daugherty (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) Language Specialist and Elder, Cartoon Room 1

4:30-5:30 p.m.            “World Heritage Ohio and the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks,” Jennifer Aultman, Chief Historic Sites Officer, Ohio History Connection, Cartoon Room 1

5:30-6:00 p.m.         “Closing Remarks,” John Low (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi), Cartoon Room 1

6:00-7:00 p.m.         Buffet Dinner, Cartoon Room 2

  • Spinach and Romaine Salad with Garbanzo Beans, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Olives, Herbal Vinaigrette
  • Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Sauteed Kale, Portabella and Roasted Garlic Sauce
  • All Beef Meatballs in Spicy Marinara
  • Penne Pasta with Roasted Peppers, Asparagus, Fresh Herbs in Spinach Cream Sauce
  • Roasted Vegetable Blend of Carrots, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Button Mushrooms with Olive Oil and Herbs
  • Amaretto Mousse in Chocolate Cup with Toasted Almonds
  • Chocolate Chip Cannoli

7:30 p.m.         Leave for the Hilton Easton at Columbus Hotel, University Bus

 

Thursday, Newark, May 16, 2024

9:00 a.m.       Leave Hilton at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Dr, Columbus, OH 43219

                      for Ohio Union, 1739 N High St, Columbus, OH 43210, Cardinal Bus

9:20-10:00 a.m.       Buffet Buckeye Continental Breakfast, Ohio Union, The Ohio State University, Columbus [Directions and Parking, Ohio Union]

  • Chef's selection of danish, muffins, cubed fruit and seasonal berries, butter

10:00 a.m.                  Leave the Ohio Union for Great Circle Earthworks, 455 Hebron Road, Heath Ohio 43056, Cardinal Bus

  • Snacks available on the bus

10:50 a.m.                  Arrival at the Great Circle and Museum

10:50-12:20             Tour of Great Circle and Museum, Sarah Hinkelman, Site Manager of the Newark Earthworks and Flint Ridge, Ohio History Connection and John Low (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) 

“Experiences at the Newark Earthworks “On The Ground” Lecture, Sarah Hinkelman

12:20-1:00 p.m.      Lunch, Great Circle Earthworks, Packed Boxed Lunch

2:00-3:00 p.m.         Lectures

  • “Remnants of the Earthworks beyond the Great Circle and Octagon State Memorial in Newark,” Jeff Gill, Ohio History Connection Tour Guide (25 minutes)
  • “Trade and Knapping at Flint Ridge,” Tim Jordan, Former Interpretive Guide of the Newark Earthworks and Flint Ridge, Ohio University (25 minutes)
  • Questions and Answers

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.      Octagon State Memorial, 125 N 33rd St, Newark, OH 43055

  • Marti Chaatsmith (Comanche Nation, direct descendant of the Choctaw Nation), Associate Director of the Newark Earthworks Center
  • Tour of the Octagon, Dr. John Low (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) and Tim Jordan (90 minutes)
  • Wandering Time (30 minutes)

5:00-5:30 p.m.         Leave Octagon for Newark Campus, The Ohio State University

  • Snacks in a box available on the bus

5:40 p.m.                    Buffet Dinner, Newark Campus Reese Ballroom A or B, Reese Center, The Ohio State University at Newark, Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio (NAICCO) catering

  • Lakota corn soup
  • Abenaki vegetarian soup
  • Salmon candy
  • Fry bread
  • Either wojape or huckleberry buckle

7:00 p.m.                   Leave for Hilton at Easton from Newark Campus, Cardinal Bus

 

Friday, Fly Out, May 17, 2024

Breakfast on your own (Easton Town Center Restaurants external link)

By Noon                    Check out of Hilton Columbus at Easton

On your own, transportation to John Glenn International Airport,

Flight out of John Glenn International Airport

 

Open to the Public: Wednesday May 15, 2024

Cartoon Room 1, Ohio Union

Mounds and Memory Gathering Flyer 2024. PDF available in the description below. Information is in the surrounding text.

Speakers:

  • Jennifer Aultman, Chief Historic Sites Officer, Ohio History Connection
  • Kevin Daugherty (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) Language Specialist and Elder
  • Steven Gavazzi, Director of CHRR, The Ohio State University
  • Bradley Lepper, Curator of Archaeology, Ohio History Connection
  • Lucy Murphy, Professor Emeritus of History, The Ohio State University
  • Kevin Nolan, Director and Senior Archaeologist of Applied Anthropology Laboratories, Ball State University
  • Justin Parscher, Assistant Professor of Practice Landscape Architecture, Knowlton School of Architecture
  • Richard Shiels, Associate Professor Emeritus of History, The Ohio State University

 

9:00-9.30 a.m.            “Welcome and Opening Remarks”, John Low (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi), Director of the Newark Earthworks Center, Cartoon Room 1

9:30-10.30 a.m.        “An Archaeologist's Perspective on the Newark Earthworks,” Bradley Lepper, Curator of Archaeology, Ohio History Connection, Cartoon Room 1

10:30-11:00 a.m.    Break

11:00-12:00 p.m.     “Modeling Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks,” Kevin Nolan, Director and Senior Archaeologist, Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL), Ball State University; and Justin Parscher, Assistant Professor of Practice Landscape Architecture, Knowlton School of Architecture, The Ohio State University, Cartoon Room 1

12:00-1:00 p.m.      Lunch Break

1:00-2:00 p.m.            “History of Newark Earthworks Center,” Lucy Murphy, Co-Founder of the Newark Earthworks Center; and Richard Shiels, founding Director of the Newark Earthworks Center, Cartoon Room 1

2:00-3:00 p.m.          “Land Grant, Land Grab Universities” Stephen Gavazzi, Director of CHRR, The Ohio State University, Cartoon Room 1

3:00-3:30 p.m.         Break

3:30-4:30 p.m.          “Contemporary Connections to the Mounds and Sky,” Kevin Daugherty (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi) Language Specialist and Elder, Cartoon Room 1

4:30-5:30 p.m.            “World Heritage Ohio and the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks,” Jennifer Aultman, Chief Historic Sites Officer, Ohio History Connection, Cartoon Room 1

5:30-6:00 p.m.         “Closing Remarks,” John Low (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi), Cartoon Room 1

Sponsors

Organized by the Newark Earthworks Center-(John Low, Marti Chaatsmith, Megan Cromwell); Cheryl Cash; and Stephen Gavazzi; with financial support from the Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Themes Program, the Center of Religion, Center for the Study of Religion, and American Indian Studies and our donors. Thank you!