Building the Ohio Hopewell Chronology: An Incremental Approach to Historical Reckoning

Abstract Ohio Hopewell is an archaeological concept that known worldwide but suffers from “a disarray of radiocarbon results” (Lynott 2015:60). Here, we establish a comprehensive dataset 425 14 C dates sites and apply formal chronometric hygiene criteria to all dates. We then iteratively assess the temporal placement span six most important sites—the Mound Group, Liberty, City, Seip, Tremper, Turner. A staged relaxation for our best three categories (Classes 1–3) permits alternate generally consistent conclusions. As first large-scale analyses temporality since publication IntCal20 (Reimer et al. 2020), available data show ritual complex begins 90 or more years later than has been recognized circa 2010 BP, as Bayesian modeled, AD 90–120 . Our analysis reveals site histories differing spans, late early dates, with activity ending across these 1640 395–430 An increased consideration contingency in contemporary reckoning increases utility historical narratives archaeologists can construct.