UNESCO Ohio
"Ohio. I always thought it was just a bunch of fields."
You did? No, there's more! We have hills and stuff.
So, Ohio isn't as up and coming as some cities, nor as historic, cutting edge, or innovative as others. But there are a lot of us. As of 2010, there were 10.5 million residents in the state (I was living in Seattle at this time and not in the statistic!). A lot of presidential candidates seem to visit us as well to get our 20 electoral votes, the 6th largest amoun of all 50 states. We also have a fair amount of cities, including the 3 C's, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, as well as Dayton, Toledo, Akron, and good 'ol Youngstown.
So who knew that we have our own ancient artifacts that are currently up for review to add as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Ancient Earthworks of Ohio.
As the Ohio Historical Society website explains, "The Newark Earthworks were the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world. Built by prehistoric Hopewell people between 100 BC and AD 500, this architectural wonder of ancient America was part cathedral, part cemetery, and part astronomical observatory."
A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking a much appreciated break from my thesis work to go on a field trip up to Newark to see two of the earthworks - the Great Circle and the Octagon. I enjoyed the Great Circle because we could freely walk into this wonder and perceive the enclosed space. The ground level difference maximum, at the entrance, is 27'. Both projects belong to such a comprehensive plan that it is believed an individual or small group of planners designed the whole thing - there are many connections where the area of a circlular mound equals half the octagon, the perimeter of the square equals the circle, etc. Not only this, but the perfect geometrical implementation is hard to believe and very impressive for the level of mechanical technology available to the ancient culture.
More information about these beauties is here:
CERHAS - a project led by my thesis advisor, digitally remaking the earthworks to give us a clearer idea of their spatial connections and magnitude
UNESCO nomination information
Newark Earthworks
Besides this, I have pretty much just been working away at my thesis. I may put some of my work up on Issuu at the end of the quarter. Or on my rammed earth blog. . .
But, sometimes, friends send you fun, inspiring things like this wonderfully fun + happy music video by Walk the Moon. This Cincinnati-native band also filmed this video in the city. It's great. Check it out!
Anna Sun
Good day.
So, Ohio isn't as up and coming as some cities, nor as historic, cutting edge, or innovative as others. But there are a lot of us. As of 2010, there were 10.5 million residents in the state (I was living in Seattle at this time and not in the statistic!). A lot of presidential candidates seem to visit us as well to get our 20 electoral votes, the 6th largest amoun of all 50 states. We also have a fair amount of cities, including the 3 C's, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, as well as Dayton, Toledo, Akron, and good 'ol Youngstown.
So who knew that we have our own ancient artifacts that are currently up for review to add as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Ancient Earthworks of Ohio.
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| this one, the Octagon, is currently a controversial golf course. I believe their lease of the land is up in the 2080s. Every 17 years the moonrise is perfectly captured through the mound entrance. |
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| mound with human scale figure |
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| Great Circle entrance |
A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking a much appreciated break from my thesis work to go on a field trip up to Newark to see two of the earthworks - the Great Circle and the Octagon. I enjoyed the Great Circle because we could freely walk into this wonder and perceive the enclosed space. The ground level difference maximum, at the entrance, is 27'. Both projects belong to such a comprehensive plan that it is believed an individual or small group of planners designed the whole thing - there are many connections where the area of a circlular mound equals half the octagon, the perimeter of the square equals the circle, etc. Not only this, but the perfect geometrical implementation is hard to believe and very impressive for the level of mechanical technology available to the ancient culture.
More information about these beauties is here:CERHAS - a project led by my thesis advisor, digitally remaking the earthworks to give us a clearer idea of their spatial connections and magnitude
UNESCO nomination information
Newark Earthworks
Besides this, I have pretty much just been working away at my thesis. I may put some of my work up on Issuu at the end of the quarter. Or on my rammed earth blog. . .
 |
| just another day in studio. |
But, sometimes, friends send you fun, inspiring things like this wonderfully fun + happy music video by Walk the Moon. This Cincinnati-native band also filmed this video in the city. It's great. Check it out!
Anna Sun
Good day.
 |
| the view of a brilliantly yellow flame in front of daap. it quickly disappeared. |
You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Ps. 139.5
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