Virtually Ancient

Earth works constructed by Native Americans as early as 600 BC were either gouged out or plowed under in the 19th century, or paved over for development in the 20^th century.

Some of the geometric and animal-shaped earth works in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia often rivaled Stonehenge in their astronomical accuracy.

A few are still standing, such as the Serpent Mound in Adams County, Ohio, but most of the region's ancient architecture was all but squandered.

But now, this lost heritage from the Adena, Hopewell, and Fort Ancient cultures is returning in the form of a traveling exhibit that will include virtual reconstructions of earthworks from 39 sites.

The electronic recreations represent nearly ten years of work by an extensive team of architects, archaeologists, historians, technical experts, and Native Americans.

The project is built upon archaeological data gleaned from sensing devices and aerial photography as well as frontier maps and other aids provided by archaeologists to re-establish the location, size, shape and appearance of many of the region's earthworks.

Then, using architectural software and high-resolution computer modeling and animation, the University of Cincinnati led team virtually rebuilt these massive structures and further created animated, interactive, narrated "tours" among them.

The "EarthWorks" reconstructions will be the centerpiece within a 500-square-foot traveling exhibit which will also include a graphic timeline wall with cross cultural comparisons; a giant map wall of the Ohio River Valley indicating placement of Native American earthworks; panels with diagrams, photos and text; and 3-D topographic models of five earthwork sites.

The exhibit opens June 20, 2006, at the Cincinnati Museum Center and remains at the museum center till Sept. 7, 2006.

--LiveScience Staff

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Credit: Corson Hirschfeld