Ross County, Ohio & London, England — In 1864, about 2,000 artifacts dug up in prehistoric earthworks 20 years earlier by a famous archaeologist were sold by him to a collector in England. If they won’t be returned, how should the situation be handled?
It is sometimes lamented that those Hopewell artifacts made their way to the British Museum, far from their origin in Ohio – especially with attention from the recent World Heritage recognition. But not only is any resolution complicated, even getting an accurate count of the artifacts – some uncurated in their original bags from the 1840s – is unfinished.
This was the focus of Monday’s presentation by Dr. Laura Murphy, Associate Professor of Anthropology in Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. She explained her two-week study of local artifacts that are in the British Museum, to the Mound City chapter of the Ohio Archaeological Society, on July 8th, 2025.
Murphy was revisiting her post as a park ranger from 20 years ago, the rebuilt Mound City earthworks just north of Chillicothe. They are the headquarters of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, one of eight parks in Ohio listed as World Heritage sites.
Hear Murphy about her experience and thoughts in her own words in the below video interview. You also have another chance to hear her again in Newark in a week and a half:
“Join us for a free, one-of-a-kind Tour and Talk at the Octagon Earthworks, part of the Newark Earthworks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ohio History Connection’s Senior Archaeologist, Dr. Brad Lepper, will lead a guided tour of this extraordinary site, followed by a conversation with Dr. Laura R. Murphy.”
(Also learn about Lepper’s presentation on the “Burning Tree Mastodon” from 36 years ago at Ohio University Chillicothe on March 19th.)
Two of the eight World Heritage parks are part of the Newark Earthworks, west of Columbus and about an hour and a half from Chillicothe.
