Welcome to EARTH!
In this part of EARTHWORKS Rising, you will be challenged to ‘dig in a little deeper’ and find out how and why the Earthworks were built. You will have many opportunities to learn and to explore [tooltip tip=”In today’s world there are a number of different terms that refer to Indigenous People — terms such as American Indians, Native Americans, First Nations, and indigenous. We use these terms interchangeably. We also believe it is important for all of us to be mindful that most indigenous people prefer to have their tribal affiliation recognized. “]Native peoples[/tooltip] and the amazing Earthwork projects they designed and built. As you explore, you will discover why these amazing mounds are worthy of being recognized as one of the Wonders of the Ancient World.
Although Earthworks are located in many different areas in the United States, this particular story begins over 2,000 years ago when the Original People designed and built outdoor structures in a place that is now known as Newark, Ohio. Built from dirt, not from the place, these amazing geometric forms or effigies (symbols of birds or animals) were sculpted into large forms for many purposes such as: ceremonies, lunar calendars, solar calendars, burial sites, and community gatherings and events such as ball games.
The Great Serpent Mound is so large its entire shape can only be seen from the air above this 1,348 foot long, three-foot-high mound. During the Summer Solstice the head of the Serpent Mound faces and aligns with the rising sun. Many different groups a people believe this gigantic earthen symbol was used as a sculptural calendar to help ancient people know the best times to plant and harvest their crops.
Early people were experienced astronomers. Their knowledge of the Stars helped them track time. Test your knowledge of the Stars using the EARTHWORKS Rising: My Stars interaction:
EARTHWORKS Rising: My StarsIn the video below, Chief Glenna Wallace, from the Eastern Shawnee Tribe, describes her feelings about the knowledge base, such as math and science that the Original People needed to be able to construct the Earthworks. She also speaks to words that have been used to describe [tooltip tip=”In today’s world there are a number of different terms that refer to Indigenous People — terms such as American Indians, Native Americans, First Nations, and indigenous. We use these terms interchangeably. We also believe it is important for all of us to be mindful that most indigenous people prefer to have their tribal affiliation recognized. “]Native people[/tooltip]. She talks about the contradiction of those words and the reality of the people. Watch Chief Glenna Wallace describe her experience.
After watching Chief Glenna, what questions did you have? Why would she mention the word “savage?” Was her response to the Earthworks surprising to you? What part of the EARTH did she focus on and what didn’t she address?
