Prehistory of Licking County

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The history of Licking County begins nearly 14,000 years ago when the area was still covered by a giant glacier. [1] Near the end of the last Ice Age, the glacier began to retreat and Ohio's climate grew warm and greenery began to takeover the area. During that time, animals wandered into the area, including mastodons, giant beavers and sloths, and saber toothed cats, searching for food. Soon after, the first people came to inhabit the area called Paleoindians, named by scientists to mean really old Indians. [1] These Paleoindians were hunters who survived by hunting and following the herds of animals as they settled across Ohio. They hunted with spear like weapons called atlatl. The Paleoindian culture dominated the area for nearly 6,000 years while the climate continued to grow warmer still. [1]

The history of county picks back up again about 2000 years ago when the area was occupied by the Hopewell Indians. They lived on the land for a number of years, before disappearing for no apparent reason. They left behind a countless number of mounds in the Great Circle, the largest named Earthworks. [2] Ohio is reported to contain more remains of the Mound Builders than any other state, with Licking County being one of the most prominent locations. After the Hopewell Indians came the Wyandotte, Shawnee and Delaware Indians who settled in the area" It is believed that it was during this time that Licking County got it's name from the salt licks that littered the banks of the river.

Soon after, English settlers from the east came to settle the area.

Artifacts

Holy Stones

Mastadon

Earthworks

Located in XXX, the Newark Earthworks are the largest geometric earthworks in the world. [3]

Flint Ridge

Where is Flint Ridge?

Moundbuilders Indians

Background on the Native Americans

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hite, A. (1997, February 6). Prehistoric People of Ohio and Licking County. Ace News.
  2. Rutter, C. (2008). A Brief History of Licking County. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  3. Stare, F. (2002, February 10). Newark, Licking County home of many firsts. The Newark Advocate.