Mystery rocks and mounds

Today Mom and I once again hiked into Highbanks and into the site. This time we took an aproach from the South, just off the path. We walk along the top of the earthworks and probed as we went. Once we got back towards the northern  portion we probed around the exterior and noticed what may be the secound mound or ring of earthworks that Baby mentions in his notes. This was very exciting and we probed along this formation. Strang rocks that seemed really out of place were all along the earthworks ontop of them and around them. Now these rocks seem local but could not have eroded out of the earthworks unless there are sections of the earthworks which contain large stones, perhaps for support. This was really wierd to say the least. Further investigation may come in the future.
We walked back into the enclosure and probed a low area which  we flagged for excavation. In our probes we collected the typical yellow clay and saw red clay and charcoal inclusions. It was exciting because this red clay is only seen inside the earthwork walls and is not local to the area. Further inside the enclosure, as we were working our way South, we saw another wierd occurance. Multiple, small mounds dotted the landscape. It was really odd, they almost looked like sifting piles from Baby's excavation but they were too far away from the earthworks. They also looked like a serial killer had come in and buried a half dozen bodies. Mom probed one, which was braver then me. They turned out to be pretty much solid yellow clay. The mystery increases!!! As we continued to walk back to the path we realized that these mounds were most likely the result of a fallen tree. We saw other trees that had fallen and when the root bulb comes up it brings with it a great deal of clay that is caught in the roots. Once the organics decay it leaves behind the big pile of clay. So no serieal killer mass burial ground, just a bunch of fallen trees....or are they?

New day new ideas

Mom and I hiked back out to the site today. It was even hotter and muggier than yesterday but we pushed onward. Today we decided to start at the southern end of the earthworks and work our way inward. We probed and flagged two more possible pit locations.
Hiking in from the South gave us a better view of the ravines that are running through the area, there are three ravines that run through the middle of the enclosed space. We probed some more and took photos. Then went to the observation deck which is in the southern half of the earthworks right on the cliffs. Looking down from this vantage-point really put a new perspective on the entire thing. If this were a fort how could people from the village site across the river see what was coming? How could they scale the 100-foot high shale bluffs in a timely manner. This site would not be one that you could easily access from the river. You can get to it, but it would be difficult. I'm looking into reformatting my research question a little bit to possibly include an analysis and comparison of the earthworks as a ceremonial site to other known earthworks sites along the Olentangy and Scioto rivers. The more I walk around this site the more I think that this is a ceremonial site and not a fortification.
Another exciting discovery was made by mother who took a look at Baby's field notes that are located int the Ranger station/Nature center. As we walked through the woods to the site we ourselves noted that there seemed to be a second ring of earthworks, or at least what looked like some. Baby, in his notes, says that there is in fact a second ring and that he excavated a trench from one ring to the other. This discovery has prompted me to look over Baby's notes again in the OHS, so I will organize a time sometime this week and hopefully find something I did not the first time.
This, accompanied by the fact that the location is hard to get to and that the center of the earthworks is red clay, something not local to the park itself, makes me believe even more that this is a ceremonial site and not a fort.
I'm going to be researching a lot more in the next week or so and looking into links between this and other sites in the area.

Pictures from today

First day in the field for serious

So today mother and I went out to Highbanks. We took the CORRECT trail and hiked to the earthworks. We drenched ourselves in bugspray and went out, laden with soil probes, pin flags, and various other bits and bobs. The day started out warm but not terrible and by the time we got to the earthworks we were in the shade of the forest so it wasn't too bad. The hike off the trail and on top of the earthworks was very exciting. We saw the vernal pool which is home to salamanders and frogs. The site covers about 10 acres of heavily forested area  so the hike out to the cliff-edge was work for sure.
The first thing that mom and I noticed was the topography inside the earthworks. From all of the maps and etchings I have seen of the earthworks it is apparently flat inside but what we observed was a very different landscape. Inside the earthworks seemed to be a smaller ravine and what appeared to be another mound or ring possibly. It was very interesting and we are going to do some hunting to see if we can find someone in Ohio that has software that allows for tree-penetrating aerial survey/radar. It would be extremely helpful if we could get an aerial shot of the site. Elizabeth and Debbie, the naturalists at Highbanks, came out to the site and walked around with us for a while. They are both really excited about the project and I am so grateful for their support.
We took a few cores and did some surveying today before we decided to head back. I think I have found two possibilities for pit locations, which I flagged so that we can find them again.
Headed back out tomorrow, but for today I need a shower and a nap. Very tired and gross, it got hot towards the end of our visit.
Stay tuned for more information, we are headed back out tomorrow so we will see what happens!!