Earthwork Wall Excavation

An archeological excavation trench shows red soil piled on yellow soil

NPS Photo/Mark J. Lynott

National Park Service archeologists carefully excavated a trench through the south wall of the enclosure to reveal details of wall construction. The American Indian builders first stripped the topsoil to prepare a firm foundation, then built the earthen wall in two parts. The inward-facing surfaces were built using yellowish soils, then the outer face of the wall was built using a reddish clay. This pattern of soil selection and placement was repeated at several Ohio earthworks, including Newark’s Great Circle, 60 miles away.