The Eads earthwork: Implications for Hopewell ceremonialism

A recently discovered Hopewell hilltop earthwork, Eads, reveals significant insights into Middle Woodland ceremonial practices. Located near the confluence of Bares Run-O’Bannon Creek and the Little Miami River, Eads aligns with the summer solstice sunset azimuth, pointing toward the Goodnough-Brock mound at a compass direction of 300°. This alignment, combined with artifacts recovered from surveys and test excavations, suggests that Eads was meticulously designed for ceremonial purposes. The earthwork's size and structure mirror those of other Ohio Hopewell sites, reinforcing its role in ritualistic activities during this cultural period.

Tankersley, K. B., Meyers, S. A., Albalushi, S. M., Alhabsi, S. S. S., Bowers, P. S., Burton, I. L., Loukinas, A. C. M., Ward, S. L., & Chaney, S. (2022). The Eads earthwork: Implications for Hopewell ceremonialism. North American Archaeologist, 44(1), 43–58. https://doi.org/10.1177/01976931221128608