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This map of the "ancient fortifications" published in Recherches sur les antiquités de l'Amérique (1827) by David Bailie Warden, depicts the ancient earthworks at Marietta, Ohio, located at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers. This site represents the easternmost of Ohio’s monumental ancient earthwork complexes. Its distinct layout includes a ringed burial mound, two large rectangular enclosures, several platform mounds, and a wide graded pathway leading to the river, known as the "Sacra Via."

The map illustrates the strategic and cultural importance of this elevated terrace above the river, which was later chosen as the site for Marietta, the first permanent U.S. settlement in the Ohio Country. Established in 1788 by the Ohio Company of Associates under the leadership of Rufus Putnam, Benjamin Tupper, and Reverend Manasseh Cutler, Marietta became a carefully planned town, integrating the ancient earthworks into its design. The settlers, many of whom were Revolutionary War veterans, gave the earthworks Latinate names such as “Conus” (the burial mound and surrounding ring), “Capitolium,” and “Quadranaou” (the platform mounds), reflecting their respect for these ancient structures. The “Sacra Via” became an enduring feature of the town, symbolizing its historical significance.

Marietta’s establishment marked a key moment in westward expansion following the Revolutionary War. The Ohio Company purchased this land as a solution to compensate soldiers with land instead of cash, a decision approved by Congress. The settlement quickly became a beacon of hope for the new nation, with even George Washington remarking on its auspicious founding. The settlers ensured the preservation of the earthworks, creating one of the earliest preservation laws in the region.  

The map also features detailed inset diagrams of other fortifications, including those at Circleville, Ohio, demonstrating a broader interest in the ancient indigenous constructions of the region. Together, these elements highlight both the archaeological significance and the historical narrative of settlement and preservation efforts in the Ohio Valley. Today, the remnants of the Marietta earthworks remain integral to the town’s identity and its historical heritage.