Mysteries of the Hopewell
Astronomers, Geometers, and Magicians of the Eastern Woodlands
William F. Romain
9781931968041
273 pages
University of Akron Press
Overview
Buried beneath today's Midwestern towns, under several layers of earth and the accumulated debris of two thousand years, are the clues to an ancient mystery. A Native American people, now known as the Hopewell, lived and worked these lands, building earthworks which in some instances dwarf the ruins at Stonehenge. More significantly, these mammoth earthworks were built in different geometric shapes, using a standard unit of measure and aligned to the cycles of the sun and the moon. Using the foundation of existing scholarship, Mysteries of the Hopewell presents new discoveries showing the accomplishments of the Mound Builders in astronomy, geometry, measurement, and counting. William Romain then goes one step further to theorize why generations of people toiled to move millions of tons of earth to form these precise structures, joining the ranks of the Egyptians, Mayans, Greeks, Chinese, and other advanced ancient cultures. William Romain's Mysteries of the Hopewell will appeal to many readers, including anthropologists, mathematicians, and historians, but perhaps especially to readers curious about ancient cultures and seeking explanations for these magnificent earthen structures.
Author Bio
William F. Romain holds a Master of Arts degree in anthropology from Kent State University. He has published more than two dozen articles on Ohio prehistory. Recently, he was awarded the Archaelogical Society of Ohio's Robert Converse Award for outstanding contributions to Ohio archeology. Romain is a member of the Society of Professional Archeologists and MENSA and a fellow of the Explorer's Club. He lives in Olmsted Township, Ohio with his wife, Evie.
