Ohio History Journal

192   OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

duced herewith as Figure 5. By failing to follow out the length

of the avenue, Whittlesey missed entirely the branch avenue and

circle on the Newark airport. It is strange that this was over-

looked, as at the time the original survey was made, nearly a hun-

dred years ago, the earthworks were still undisturbed by culti-

vation.

A detailed analysis of these newly discovered features will be

made in connection with a larger study of the so-called "geome-

trical earthworks." However, it may be of interest to discuss

briefly the significance of this discovery. This Newark avenue

is the longest straight line of parallel embankments constructed

by prehistoric builders and demonstrates a considerable knowledge

of elementary surveying. Like the majority of similar avenues,

it ends at a stream. It is possible when other prehistoric sites

are studied further, that all such avenues will be found to lead to

a running stream. This would indicate that the purpose of build-

ing the parallel embankments was to provide a passage-way for

processions of a ceremonial or sacred character.

It is puzzling to note that this Newark avenue extends over

two miles from the octagon to a small stream, whereas the octagon

is located within a short distance of Raccoon Creek, and if the

avenue had extended north instead of south, it need only have

been about a hundred yards long. Furthermore, Raccoon Creek

is a larger stream than Ramp Creek on the south.

A short distance from the southern terminus of the avenue,

a side avenue leads off to a small circle. This side branch is not

a true parallel, as the two walls converge slightly as they approach

the main avenue. The reason for this was found in a small knoll

at the inner angle of the airport. The north wall of the side

avenue was shifted slightly south in order to avoid climbing the

knoll. Yet the main avenue pursues a straight course regardless

of the varying slope of the ground.

At the center of the junction between the main avenue and

the side branch, traces of a circular earthwork can be detected on

the photograph. This may have been a circular mound with sur-

rounding ditch, but this is only a guess, as the destruction is so

EXTENSION TO THE NEWARK WORKS              193

complete the exact character of this object cannot be determined.

Excavation at this point might clear up the difficulty. The pur-

pose of the small circle and side avenue is unknown. Further

study of earthworks may yield some definite information.

The labor required to construct earthworks of the size com-

prising the Newark group was immense when the lack of tools is

considered. The builders possessed only crude non-metal digging

tools such as shell and wood, and their only means of transport-

ing the material was in basket-loads on their backs. Under these

circumstances, it required a powerful motive to undertake and

complete such elaborate works. Whether executed by forced labor

(that is, slaves, war captives, or subjects of an American Cheops)

or by voluntary effort, the inspiration for such structures of a

non-utilitarian character was, undoubtedly, in the religious beliefs

of the builders.

To learn more about these prehistoric people we must read

their records; not their written records, as they left none, but the

evidences of their labor. A great deal has been learned from a

study of pottery, stone artifacts and other objects recovered from

graves and found in the fields, and the study of their most dis-

tinguishing characteristic--the great earthworks--will add much

to the knowledge of prehistoric America. Unfortunately, for

over a hundred years, the farmer has done his best to destroy

every earthwork within reach of his plow, ably seconded by the

railway and highway constructors. It is only in recent years that

efforts to preserve America's antiquities have met with any suc-

cess, and meanwhile many monuments are totally destroyed.

Some consolation is found in the valuable assistance aerial

photography has contributed to archaeological study. As in the

present case, photographs have enabled surveys to be made of

earthworks previously obliterated. As the method of air survey

comes into extended use, more and more accurate data will be

accumulated as a basis for the study of our prehistoric predeces-

sors on this continent.