Possible astronomical references in the planning of the Great Hopewell Road

TL;DR

This paper investigates potential astronomical alignments in the planning of the Great Hopewell Road, suggesting a deliberate connection between the road's layout and celestial events during its construction period.

Contribution

It presents the first analysis of astronomical references in the Hopewell Road's planning, proposing a non-fortuitous connection based on observed alignments.

Findings

Identified specific astronomical alignments associated with the road

Proposed a deliberate planning based on celestial observations

Suggests non-random, intentional design in Hopewell architecture

Abstract

The possible existence of astronomical references in the planning of the so-called Great Hopewell Road, a 90 Kilometres straight road composed of two parallel earthen embankments which, according to recent surveys, likely connected the Hopewell ceremonial centres of Newark and Chillicothe, Ohio, are investigated. It turns out that a very peculiar, although simple, set of astronomical alignments took place in connection with the road during possible periods of its construction. The possibility of a non-fortuitous connection is thus proposed and analysed.