Rocky Fork Park Site, Archaeological site in Highland County, Ohio, US
Rocky Fork Park Site contains two circular earthwork enclosures positioned on a hilltop within a state park in eastern Highland County. The structures remain unplowed and retain their original shape, allowing visitors to see the earthworks as they were built centuries ago.
The earthwork enclosures were built by Hopewell peoples, an ancient society that inhabited this region of Ohio. These structures served ceremonial functions before the culture moved away from the area around 700 CE.
The eastern gateways of the circular enclosures create an amphitheater-like formation, indicating the site served ceremonial purposes for indigenous communities.
The site is located within Rocky Fork State Park and is accessible from the park's trails. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is hilly and the path to the earthworks can be uneven in places.
The eastern section of the earthworks rises noticeably above the surrounding hillside, while the western portion blends into the ridge. This difference in elevation was likely intentional, showing how builders adapted their design to the natural landscape.
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