Learn about the Moorehead Circle at the Fort Ancient Earthwork

The WSU Retirees Association presents:

Learn about the Moorehead Circle at the Fort Ancient Earthwork, with Robert Riordan, Ph.D.

Archaeologist Robert Riordan, Ph.D., will share his experiences directing archaeological excavations at the remains of a ceremonial complex in the North Fort of the Fort Ancient Earthwork in Warren County on Friday, April 14, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in the Bill Shepard Board Room of the WSU Foundation Building at 3070 Presidential Drive.

Discovered during a 2005 remote-sensing survey, what is now known as the Moorehead Circle was a circular enclosure built by people of the Hopewell culture which measured about 60 meters in diameter, formed of timber posts erected around its perimeter. The investigation, conducted with Wright State (and other) students enrolled in WSU’s Field School in Archaeology, has revealed an internal ceremonial space containing a group of features which are unlike those found at any other Hopewell site. Dr. Riordan will share his interpretations of how the archaeological finds indicate that this complex was built and used across a timespan of more than a century.

Educated at Colgate University and SIU-Carbondale, Professor Riordan was an archaeologist at WSU from 1976-2014. He served 21 years as chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and was designated a University Professor from 2000-2005. He conducted summer Field Schools in Archaeology from 1977-2014, with excavations largely focused on Native American sites of the Hopewell culture (c. AD 1-400).

The WSU Foundation Building at 3070 Presidential Drive is behind Wendy’s across from campus. Free parking is located next to the building. The event is free and open to the public, but you must register by Wednesday, April 12, by emailing your full name and the name(s) of any guests you plan to bring to wsura@wright.edu. Please put “Fort Ancient” in the email subject line.