The Octagon Earthworks is an ancient Native American site built by the Hopewell culture around 200 BC to AD 500. Located near Newark, Ohio, this enigmatic site spans approximately 50 acres and features a series of concentric circles and squares, which are believed to have served as celestial observatories, ceremonial grounds, or possibly even defensive structures.

The central feature of the Octagon Earthworks is an eight-sided earthen enclosure, surrounded by a circular embankment and ditch. This unique shape has led to its name - the Octagon - which can be likened to an enormous prehistoric compass. The site also includes two parallel ditches that stretch over a mile in length, forming the elongated rectangle of the Great Hopewell Road, which was once thought to have spiritual significance but now believed to have served as a ceremonial pathway connecting the Octagon Earthworks to other Hopewell sites.

As you walk along the perimeter of the Octagon Earthworks, try to imagine what it must have been like thousands of years ago when these ancient structures were first constructed by the Hopewell people. Can you hear the echoes of their voices as they gathered here for important ceremonies? Or feel the vibration of their drums reverberating off the earthen walls that surround you?

What makes the Octagon Earthworks truly remarkable is not just its impressive size and shape, but also the precision with which it was built. The Hopewell people demonstrated an extraordinary level of skill and knowledge in constructing these massive earthworks, aligning them with celestial bodies such as the sun and moon to create a sophisticated calendar system for tracking the changing seasons.

As you stand within this ancient site, take a moment to appreciate the incredible craftsmanship and ingenuity displayed by the Hopewell people over two thousand years ago. The Octagon Earthworks stands as a testament to their rich cultural heritage and provides us with a glimpse into the lives of these fascinating early Americans.

This is your tour through the Octagon Earthworks, a captivating journey into the past where history comes alive before your very eyes.