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The Newark Earthworks are in present-day Newark and Heath within the boundary of Licking County, Ohio. Of this once 4-square-mile complex three portions are preserved and fully open to the public:
The Great Circle – The location of the Newark Earthworks Museum. The site consists of a circular earthwork formed by a tall continuous earthen wall that encompasses 30 acres of land. The wall is lined by a deep ditch on the inside of the earthwork. The museum is located at the top of a slight rise with a paved pathway leading to it. There is no paved pathway into the interior of the Great Circle.
The Great Circle Museum
Address: 455 Hebron Road, Heath, OH 43056
The Wright Square – a small portion of a square earthwork enclosure positioned northeast of the Great Circle. This site provides a perspective of how development has impacted earthworks not only in Newark but all over the state of Ohio.
Address: James Street, Newark, OH 43055
The Octagon – two combined earthwork enclosures positioned above the floodplain of Raccoon Creek. This earthwork includes a 20-acre circle and a 50-acre octagon, connected by a small passageway. The Octagon opened for full public access on Jan. 1, 2025.
Address: 125 N 33rd Street, Newark, OH 43055
All sites are open during daylight hours.
Dogs are welcome on all the sites. Please keep your furry companions leashed and take advantage of our waste bags and remove messes that they may create on the grounds.
Enjoy the earthworks but please do not climb on the walls. We would like to keep these walls standing tall for 2,000 years after you visit them. Foot traffic will cause damage over time.
Exterior wall of the Great Circle Earthwork. Photo courtesy of Brad Lepper.
In September of 2023, the Newark Earthworks, along with 6 other Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These other sites include Fort Ancient and 5 sites within Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. These earthworks are masterpieces of creative human genius and are lasting marks of a culture that is no longer present that was influential to shaping the landscape. Learn more about these sites by visiting the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks webpage!
You can also explore the details of our inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage website.
Join us in preserving the Newark Earthworks and telling the story of this important site by lending a helping hand with site maintenance, educational and interpretive programs, and more! Find out more about volunteering at the Ohio History Connection here.
Please visit this webpage regularly or check our Facebook Page to get updates and info about upcoming events.
