Possible astronomical references in the planning of the Great Hopewell Road

Abstract

The possible existence of astronomical references in the planning of the so-called Great Hopewell Road, a 90 Kilometres straight road composed of two parallel earthen embankments which, according to recent surveys, likely connected the Hopewell ceremonial centres of Newark and Chillicothe, Ohio, are investigated. It turns out that a very peculiar, although simple, set of astronomical alignments took place in connection with the road during possible periods of its construction. The possibility of a non-fortuitous connection is thus proposed and analysed.