The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, a massive prehistoric structure located in Ohio, has been newly recognized as the 25th United States landmark to be included in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Comprising of eight extraordinary earthworks constructed approximately 2,000 years ago, this site was officially added to the list on Tuesday during the ongoing assessment of nominations by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Indigenous tradition known as the Hopewell culture is characterized by a collection of earthen mounds, which are considered to be the most authentic and significant remnants. Some of these mounds are believed to have served as lunar or astral observatories. According to the official UNESCO website, the earth walls enclosing these mounds are renowned for being among the largest non-fortified earthworks globally.
Historic site
National Archaeological Park Takalik Abaj in Guatemala has also been named a UNESCO World Heritage site.
National Archaeological Park Tak'alik Ab'aj/UNESCO World Heritage Nomination Office
The Wright Earthworks are so massive that they could easily accommodate the Great Pyramid of Cheops, showcasing their impressive scale. With the inclusion of Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, the United States has made its first addition to the World Heritage List following its recent re-entry into UNESCO.
The United States has achieved its 25th inscription on the World Heritage List, showcasing the cultural and natural heritage of the country, just three months since rejoining UNESCO, according to Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO. A Russian landmark has also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The inscription on the World Heritage List showcases the remarkable accomplishments of American archaeologists, who unearthed ancient remains dating back 2,000 years. These remains represent one of the world's largest earthwork constructions.
By being included on the Heritage List, this significant portion of American history will gain global recognition.
In 2019, the US withdrew from UNESCO, citing an "anti-Israel bias" following the organization's acceptance of a Palestinian bid for full membership and the inclusion of Palestinian territory sites on the World Heritage List. Israel also decided to depart from the organization. That year, notable architectural works by Frank Lloyd Wright, such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, were added to the list alongside iconic American landmarks like Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon National Park, and the Statue of Liberty.
Other new additions
Mount Pelée, an active volcano on the French island of Martinique.
J.B. Barret/DEAL Martinique/Courtesy UNESCO World Heritage Nomination Office
Since its establishment in 1978, the World Heritage List has successfully recognized and included over 1,000 sites of unparalleled global significance within the span of over four decades. It is important to note that only countries that have ratified the convention establishing the World Heritage Committee and its listing procedures are eligible to propose new sites for consideration.
A total of 50 global treasures are currently being considered for UNESCO's World Heritage status. Here is a list of the nominees that participants from various parts of the globe have been reviewing since last Saturday.
The list has recently been expanded to include several new additions. These additions consist of the astronomical observatories of Kazan Federal University in Russia, Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia, the Roman temple Maison Carrée in Nîmes, southern France, the archaeological site of Koh Ker in Cambodia, and the historical sites of Gordion and the capital city of ancient Phrygia in Turkey. Additionally, Gaya Tumuli in South Korea, a collection of seven burial mounds constructed by the Gaya Kingdom, the Viking-Age Ring Fortresses in Denmark, and the National Archaeological Park Takalik Abaj in Guatemala have also been included in the list.
CNNs Francesca Street and Marnie Hunter also contributed to this report.
