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Field
Trips > C Region >
Newark Earthworks
To schedule your class visit please call the Licking County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 740-345-8224 or 1-800-589-8224.
Tours are offered Monday through Friday beginning at 9:00 AM
Admission: Students $5.00 for tour of Great Circle or Flint Ridge, $7.00 per Student for tours of both sites on the same day, Teachers and 4 additional adults FREE
Please allow a minimum of 4 hours for one site visit and 5 to visit both sites.
Checks should be written to the Ohio State University at Newark.
Evidence of prehistoric cultures abounds in Ohio. The Newark Earthworks were the largest set
of geometric earthen enclosures in the world. Built by the people archaeologists refer to as the Hopewell culture between 100
BCE and 500 ACE, these geometric earthworks once were part of an elaborate system of structures that
spread over four square miles. Today, only remnants remain including the Great Circle Earthworks,
Octagon Earthworks, and Wright Earthworks.
Archaeologists are not certain as to the original purpose of the earthworks, but theorize that it was
part cathedral, part cemetery, and part astronomical observatory. The structures may have been sites
for social or ceremonial occasions, or they may have marked astronomical alignments.
Facilities Information
Your school can visit Newark Earthworks (except Octagon Earthworks) without a reservation.
The Great Circle Earthworks and Wright Earthworks are open to the public year round. Octagon Earthworks is located on the grounds of Moundbuilders
Country Club; for safety purposes, the site has a year round public viewing area located near the parking lot. The site is open for school tours by reservation
as well as the grounds are open to the public on special Open House dates.
There is no trail inside of the Great Circle Earthworks. Wheelchair assistance may be required on the
grounds.
A picnic area with shelter house for eating lunch is available off of Parkview Drive. Restrooms are
located near the shelter.
There are no restroom facilities at Wright or Octagon Earthworks.
As students will be outdoors during their experience, we suggest that they dress appropriately for the
weather.
Preservation of the mounds is a major mission of the Ohio Historical Society. We therefore discourage
individuals from walking on the earthworks themselves. We appreciate your cooperation in respect to
future generations, who will no doubt want to experience these national treasures in a well preserved
condition.
Museum Shop on site
The Great Circle Museum and Museum Shop are open daily from April - October. The grounds at Great Circle are open to the public year-round, as is the
viewing platform at Octagon Earthworks.
Hours of Operation
The grounds at Great Circle and Wright Earthworks are open and no reservations are required.
Park hours are:
Great Circle Earthworks and Wright Earthworks
Year-round, Daylight hours
Octagon Earthworks
Public viewing area is open year round
2010 Octagon Open Houses will be held:
Tuesday, June 1, Sunday, October 17, and Monday October 18, 2010
Location
The Great Circle Earthworks is located at Newark Earthworks off of SR 79 between Parkview Drive
and Cooper Street and is open to the public.
Wright Earthworks is located further south off of SR 79 at Grant Street and is open to the public.
Octagon Earthworks is located on US 33N and Parkview Drive. Visitors are invited to the public viewing area near the parking lot.
Directional Map [Yahoo] - Will load in a new window
Bus Driver's Instructions
Buses should drop off students at the parking area near Newark Earthworks on SR 79 between
Parkview Drive and Cooper Street. Buses can remain in the lot or move (with lunches) to the lot
closer to the picnic shelter off of Parkview Drive.
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