This book is a brief history, archaeological summary, and interdisciplinary analysis of the Newark Earthworks, one of the world's largest geometrical mound configurations dating to the Hopewell Period (ca. 100 B.C.–A.D. 400). It is a timely contribution to the literature as many contemporary peoples struggle with related issues of ethnic identity, cultural patrimony, and interpretive complexities of ancient sites. The motivation for the symposium that formed the basis for the volume was explicitly interdisciplinary, where consensus was not a goal. Rather, the aim was to compile a range of competing ideas about this important place (p. 5). The authors’ interests include archaeology, geography, history, indigenous rights, law, preservation, and religion.

The book is organized into six parts/contexts; abridged titles and descriptions follow. “Part I: American and Ohio History,” by Shiels, provides a succinct overview of the destruction, preservation, and multiple uses of the land that the Newark Earthworks site encompasses. “Part II: Hopewell Archaeology and Archaeoastronomy” reveals the little we know about the site from archaeological evidence. What we do know has been well presented in previous publications but interpretations here are usefully extended by Lepper to conclude that the key function of the site is as a mortuary engine of world renewal. The similarly well-known archaeoastronomy interpretation of Hively and Horn is also importantly extended to include broader landscape issues. “Part III: Cross-Cultural Archaeology” includes chapters by archaeologists with expertise elsewhere who compare the Newark Earthworks to sites they have focused their research on, including Chaco (Lekson), Nazca (Silverman), and Stonehenge (Darvill). “Part IV: Interdisciplinary (Architecture, Cartography, Religious Studies)” focuses on how the Newark Earthworks are relevant for contemporary culture. Each author in this section (Barrie, Bremer, Hancock, Pearce) provides an interesting interpretation of the archaeological site with an eye toward contemporary experiences in the ancient spaces. “Part V: Indigenous Rights and Identity (American and International)” and “Part VI: Law and Jurisprudence (Ancient and Ongoing)” focus largely on the issue of who should manage ancient sites like the Newark Earthworks. Chaatsmith, Champagne, and Goldberg hold that, because indigenous people built them, they should be the managers. MacDonald reaches a similar conclusion, but makes the important point that a more global ownership is appropriate in this case. Johnson's contribution raises the point that Newark is a “depressed cultural site” in that, while it is admired and celebrated, most of all there is concern about its well-being. Sullivan's chapter on “law stuff” questions whether the Newark Earthworks site was used for ritual, instead arguing that it was used for regulating human relations and solving disputes.

The editors are to be commended for assembling a diverse set of often-contradictory interpretations. However, as is often the case in such undertakings, it would have been useful to explore some of the shortcomings and contradictions. For example, a key shortcoming is that no larger summary of Hopewell culture was provided. If there was such a chapter, it would have sharply emphasized how little we actually know about the archaeology of the Newark Earthworks in comparison to many other Hopewell mound sites. This is crucial, for much of what is discussed in the book rests on an archaeological foundation that is nearly nonexistent. Therefore, at times, it seems premature to explore some of the subjects that are included. Overviews of other key topics covered, such as indigenous rights, would be similarly illuminating for the chapters that cover various aspects of this broad research domain. An example of a contradiction concerns the site's ancient function and contemporary use. There are at least as many references for and against the site serving a ritual function, but no apparent split at all by the authors over the negative assessment of the current use of part of the site as a golf course. I am not advocating that the site should be used as a golf course, but it seems to me that the real issue is who is using it, an issue that is particularly apropos as some Native American interpretations I have heard regarding this particular site include its use for sporting games!

In sum, this collection of essays is a provocative and timely exploration of the myriad issues surrounding the interpretation, ownership, and management of a globally significant ancient earthen archaeological site. It is hard to disagree with several authors that call for the involvement of both Native Americans and a more global organization regarding stewardship of this and other such sites. However, it is also hard to disagree with archaeologists that more excavation needs to occur and that we need to acknowledge what we know, can know, and will never know from a material standpoint. Should the site gain UNESCO World Heritage status, surely both will occur. While the devil is in the details of how this will take place, it will undoubtedly lead to the production of more knowledge and opportunities for contemporary interactions with this ancient monument in our contemporary world.