Marietta Earthworks, Ancient Native American archaeological site in Washington County, Ohio, United States
Marietta Earthworks is an archaeological site with multiple geometric mounds, including the Quadranaou and Capitolium structures, connected by ceremonial pathways along the Muskingum River. The complex demonstrates the spatial planning and layout design of its ancient builders.
The site was built between 100 BCE and 500 CE by the Hopewell civilization as a large network of earthen structures. Early settlers documented and measured the mounds during the 1780s.
The Conus mound within the cemetery shows how sacred spaces mattered to the indigenous builders of these structures. Visitors can still sense how the location served as a place for spiritual gatherings.
The site is best explored on foot at your own pace to view the various mounds across the landscape. Local information and guided experiences are available through nearby resources, making it helpful to plan ahead for a better understanding of what you will see.
The Capitolium mound aligns precisely with the winter solstice sunset, revealing that its ancient builders possessed advanced knowledge of how the sky moves throughout the year. This careful alignment suggests the construction was planned with astronomical observation in mind.
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