The Ohio Files:

How the Hopewell Earthworks Became Ohio’s UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the Ohio History Connection, welcome to 'The Ohio Files', a new podcast exploring Ohio’s deep, complex and often untold history.

In this premiere episode, host Jerry Dannemiller is joined by Dr. Brad Lepper, senior archaeologist at Ohio History Connection, for a wide‑ranging conversation about the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks and their inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.

Together, they explore:

• What the Hopewell Earthworks are and why they are extraordinary  

• How geometry, astronomy and engineering shaped these ancient landscapes  

• The 20+ year journey to UNESCO World Heritage designation  

• The role of tribal partners in preservation and interpretation  

• How new technologies like lidar and geophysical surveys are reshaping what we know  

• Why these sites still matter today, in Ohio and around the world  

Dr. Lepper brings decades of expertise studying Ohio’s ancient Indigenous cultures, including the Hopewell Earthworks, Serpent Mound and Ice Age sites. His work continues to deepen our understanding of Ohio’s earliest histories and the people who shaped them.

Granville (North Lane, NEFF), 4.0-Miles.

Visit Pop in Adams and Mom in Williamstown. 

Granville (North Lane, NEFF), 5.3-Miles.

Granville (North Lane, NEFF), 4.8-Miles.

"High Points" along trails during April 2026... 

• Another Month with exploration and cataloging trails up and around the top of Sodom Mountain in Southwick, Massachusetts.

Granville (North Lane, NEFF), 3.8-Miles.

Visit Pop in Adams and Mom in Williamstown. 

Stopped off to visit with my Sister as well.

What Played in Ed's Head -- 

Music listened to for the time-period April 1 through April 30, 2026:

5.9-Miles at Granville Reservoir.

7.3-Miles at Granville Reservoir.

7-Miles at Sodom Mountain.

Also, on this day in 2006, I completed a Metacomet Marathon with my dog Tippi;  it was just us.  By 2005, most of my running turned toward exploring and mapping routes through the forest of Western Massachusetts and North Central Connecticut, with an emphasis on picking out ways to connect big tracks of land, and turn them into runs of marathon length.

Tips taking a look toward the quarry in West Suffield, Connecticut.

This run began in Sunrise Park, Suffeld, Connecticut and flowed south through Penwood State Forest in Bloomfield and Simsbury, Connecticut.  We spent 6:27:00 completing a little over 28-miles or so.  This was my 31st marathon completed, and Tippi's 7th.
 

Hueblin Tower in the distance; we would be turning around just prior to it.

Notes:  A great day;  started out 50 degrees at the 9:45 A.M. start time.  I believe it reached 70 degrees during the day, with most of it in the mid to upper 60’s.  Sunny and blue sky entire time, with a bit of a nice breeze every once and a while.

Tippi taking a look back off a ledge.

Much of the route is a ridge trail, with weather beaten trees still standing.

Tippi at the finish, ready to eat and rest.

  

 

7.9-Miles at Sodom Mountain.

3.3-Miles at Cowles Park.

3-Miles at Shenipsit/Soapstone.