Image Source: Wright/Chillicothe Gazette
Ohio is rich in Native American history, with its name derived from the Iroquois word “ohiyo,” meaning “the great river.” In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, Tourism Ohio has compiled a list of notable Native American heritage sites across the state. These sites offer a glimpse into Ohio’s ancient past and the significant contributions of Native American cultures.
Key sites include:
- Serpent Mound: The world’s largest effigy mound, located in Peebles, Ohio, shaped like a serpent.
- Fort Ancient Earthworks: A massive 2,000-year-old hilltop enclosure near Lebanon, now a nature preserve.
- Newark Earthworks: A National Historic Landmark comprising large earthwork structures, including the Great Circle and Octagon Earthworks.
- Sun Watch Indian Village: A reconstructed 13th-century village in Dayton, offering insights into ancient Ohio life.
- Hopewell Culture National Historical Park: Home to burial mounds and ceremonial earthworks, including Ohio’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Fort Hill Earthworks: A well-preserved hilltop enclosure in southern Ohio’s mature forests.
- Shrum Mound: A burial mound in Columbus, standing 20 feet tall.
- Miamisburg Mound: One of the largest conical burial mounds in eastern North America.
- Flint Ridge Ancient Quarries: A site in Glenford where ancient cultures mined flint.
- Marietta Earthworks: A historic site featuring burial mounds and pyramids preserved as public parks.
These sites serve as important reminders of the state’s Native American history, with efforts to preserve and honor their cultural legacy.
Learn more: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2024/11/12/native-american-heritage-month-ohio-sites/76089635007/