In this Book
The University of Akron Press
- Mysteries of the Hopewell: Astronomers, Geometers, and Magicians of the Eastern Woodlands
- Book
- 2000
- Published by: The University of Akron Press
- Series: Ohio History and Culture
summary
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.
Table of Contents
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- Introduction
- pp. 1-8
- Part One: Physical Parameters
- 1. The Enchanted Valley
- pp. 11-31
- 2. Sacred Geometry
- pp. 32-64
- 3. Measuring and Counting
- pp. 65-100
- 4. Hopewell Astronomy
- pp. 101-142
- 5. Azimuths to the Otherworld
- pp. 143-160
- Part Two: The Hopewell Worldview
- 6. Symbols of Earth and Sky
- pp. 163-200
- 7. Sacred Ceremonies
- pp. 201-226
- 8. Conclusion
- pp. 227-231
- Appendix: The Serpent Mound
- pp. 233-253
- Acknowledgments
- pp. 255-256
- References
- pp. 257-268
Additional Information
ISBN
9781935603245
Related ISBN(s)
9781931968041
MARC Record
OCLC
652467481
Pages
272
Launched on MUSE
2012-01-01
Language
English
Open Access
No