Ancient Earthworks, Day 1 -- May 19, 2011

Dr. Michael Wiant, Director of Dickson Mounds State Museum, is accompanying 31 members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Bradley University on a three-day trip to unique aboriginal earthworks in Ohio.

We began the trip with a visit to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis. The museum, opened in 1989, has served as the primary venue for Native American art and culture in Indiana. It is also the only museum in the midwest to offer extensive collections of both Native American and American Western art.

Next, we took a tour of the Miamisburg Mound in Miamisburg, Ohio. According to the Ohio Historical Society, the Miamisburg is the largest conical burial mound in the state. Archaeological studies of the surrounding area have shown the mound to be 68 feet high, 852 feet in circumference, and containing 311,353 cubic feet of dirt.

We wrapped up the first day with dinner at The Golden Lamb, recognized as the oldest continuously operating business in Ohio. Between courses, we were treated to an enlightening presentation by the hotel/restaurant's resident historian, who shared stories about The Golden Lamb's many prominent guests (including several United States Presidents).