Fort Ancient Great Gateway   Save
Ohio Guide Photographs
Description: A photograph of the Great Gateway, the dividing mounds at the south end of the Isthmus, which separate the structure into the Old and New Forts. Fort Ancient contains more than 60 gateways in the walls, making it difficult to defend the site against enemies. Many stone graves mark the terrace on the east side of the Great Gateway. Fort Ancient features 18, 000 feet of earthen walls built 2, 000 years ago by American Indians who used the shoulder blades of deer, split elk antler, clam shell hoes and digging sticks to dig the dirt. They then carried the soil in baskets holding 35 to 40 pounds. Portions of the walls were used in conjunction with the sun and moon to provide a calendar system for the peoples. Reverse reads: “FORT ANCIENT-Gateway between the two Forts. Warren County, Ohio, July, 1936.” View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B10F04_047_001
Subjects: Fort Ancient (Ohio); Hopewell Culture (A.D. 1–400)
Places: Warren County (Ohio)