A Brave New, Old World: Utilizing Computer Modeling to
Reconstruct and Research Hopewell Earthworks in Ohio
By Ashley Busch, Arizona State University
and
Jeremiah Stager, University of Alabama
The monumental earthworks built by the Hopewell culture in Ohio nearly two thousand years ago are in a state of decay that is in many cases irreversible. We are developing (or have developed) three-dimensional models that rebuild these earthworks in a virtual world. While other models have been built in the past as illustrative media, our models will be more useful as research tools. By utilizing the data available from previous excavations, satellite/aerial orthoimagery, and measurements taken on site, we have attempted to reconstruct this monumental architecture as it may have looked nearly two millennia ago. There are significant advantages of three dimensional models over traditional mapping. Height (or Z value) is not able to be represented in top-down maps except in using cross sectioning, which is very limited. In addition, these models will be readily accessible to researchers to utilize and evaluate through the use of freeware programs.
Click on the link below to access our presentation, which has many more pictures.
3D model of the Turner site created in GoogleSketchup8.
