One of Ohios last major unprotected mound groups is threatened with destruction: the Junction Group in Ross County. The Junction Group is a collection of nine small-to-medium-sized earthen enclosures built in various geometric shapes by American Indians now known as the Hopewell Culture about 2,000 years ago. This mound group includes Ohios only known quatrefoil a very rare if not unique four-leaf clover shaped enclosure. The Arc of Appalachia (AoA) and Heartland Earthworks Conservancy (HEC) have partnered and are leading the charge to save the Junction Group but they need your help. Your pledge today can help save a piece of Ohio history.

The Junction Group, which gets its name from its location at the junction of Paint Creek and North Fork Paint Creek, was first mapped in the mid-19th century but since has been plowed down and the earthwork walls have largely disappeared from view. A magnetic survey in 2005 led to the re-discovery of the site and demonstrated that the foundations of these ancient mounds still are preserved just beneath the surface of the ground. The Junction Group is one of Ohios last remaining unprotected groups of ancient American Indian ceremonial earthwork enclosures. On Tuesday, March 18, the Junction Group, located at the southwest edge of Chillicothe on the Stark family farm, will go to auction and is in danger of being destroyed by future development. $500,000 needs to be raised by the community in order for the AoA and HEC to receive the matching gifts necessary to purchase, preserve, and protect the Junction Group. Please visit the AoA website and make your pledge today to support the Save the Junction Group campaign. Every pledge dollar counts and your financial support in this collaborative effort is vital. Join the movement to save the Junction Group in Ross County and pledge today. Brad Lepper Curator of Archaeology Ohio Historical Society