Hike to The Archaeological Conservancy’s Davis Works Mound Site on AOA’s Etchison/Friend Conservation Easement, Salt Creek Valley, Laurelville Hocking Hills Conservation Initiative

Let yourself be transported back in time as we hike through deep woods to an ancient native mound and circle complex on the high hills overlooking the Salt Creek valley.

AOA is cosponsoring this hike with The Archaeological Conservancy which owns the Davis Works mound site, donated by Bob Etchison, the former property owner.  Bob also graciously donated a conservation easement (CE) on his surrounding 80-acre property to AOA to insure protection of the adjacent contextual landscapes. We are grateful to Linda Friend, the current property owner of the easement land, who agreed to host this event for AOA.

The Davis Works Archaeological Preserve site includes the mound and two circular ditches which “likely dates to around 300 BC to AD 600, during the time the Hopewell culture was dominant in this area”.  A partial excavation of the mound in 1887 found an adult skeleton encased on a log tomb at the base of the mound.

The Etchison CE property is one of many cultural and heritage sites protected by AOA as part of our conservation mission for community benefit.

The Archaeological Conservancy is the only national nonprofit dedicated to permanently preserving archaeological sites.  They protect and preserve America’s most significant archaeological sites through partnership and collaboration with others.

This hike as well as other AOA events are free and open to the public.  We will meet rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather and hiking on some slopes.

Time:  Meet at 10:00 a.m.  The trip will last approximately two hours.

What to Bring:  Binoculars to view birds and wildlife.  Pack drinks and/or snacks of your choice.  Feel free to bring lunch and eat at the mound site. Bug repellant is recommended.

Location.  We will meet at the site which is located south of Highway 56 and east of Laurelville.  Turn south off Highway 56 onto Sams Creek Road and cross Salt Creek.  Turn right after about 0.9 miles onto Butler Road (which name changes to Black Road).  The entry drive is about one-third of a mile on the right. Look for AOA signs / green traffic cones at the entry.  Staff will help direct you onto the drive and up to the parking area in a sylvan field. Use the street address, 17612 Black Rd, Laurelville, OH 43135, or the google link below for directions.

Google Map Link.  Use this Google map link to AOA’s Etchison CE property:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/17960+Black+Rd,+Laurelville,+OH+43135/@39.4360046,-82.7129898,542m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x884797e880a76a85:0xd4e951d3c38fc01a!8m2!3d39.4360046!4d-82.7129898?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDUxMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D