Nov. 3, 2011M
The Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville will take a look at the stars with its November program titled “An Astronomer’s Look at the Grave Creek Mound and its Environs” featuring Francis Graham, assistant professor at Kent State University (KSU).
The talk will begin at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17 in the Delf Norona Museum’s auditorium. The program is part of Grave Creek Mound’s monthly film and lecture series that is held in conjunction with the Upper Ohio Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Archaeological Society. The series is free and open to the public.
Astronomical alignments have been observed at many Adena and Hopewell sites, such as the Newark Earthworks in Newark, Ohio, and Great Serpent Mound in southwestern Ohio. In Moundsville, many of the recorded earthworks were destroyed as the town developed, but tantalizing clues remain. Graham’s lecture will present evidence of astronomical alignments at Grave Creek Mound and other sites of importance.
Graham teaches physics, astronomy and geology at KSU’s East Liverpool, Ohio, campus. He is the author of many papers in scholarly journals, and has written several books on the subject of lunar and planetary science, aerodynamics, Korean politics and a textbook in introductory physics.
“The study of astronomy in relation to archaeology is a popular topic,” said David Rotenizer, site manager at Grave Creek. “This month’s program will put a new twist on how we view the Grave Creek Mound.”
Next month’s program, set for Thursday, Dec. 29, is titled “Carolina Stories: Finding Clovis,” a film produced by South Carolina Educational Television.
For more information about the lecture and film series or other programs at Grave Creek Mound, contact Andrea Keller, cultural program coordinator at Grave Creek Mound, at (304) 843-4128 or e-mail her at Andrea.K.Keller@wv.gov. Indicate in the message if you are interested in receiving information about upcoming events at the mound.
Operated by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex features the largest conical burial mound in the New World and ranks as one of the largest earthen mortuary mounds anywhere in the world. The Delf Norona Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed on Mondays.
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The Division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the Division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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