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.