Prehistoric tablet to be exhibited in Marietta

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A prehistoric Native American tablet that was the subject of a lengthy legal dispute will be displayed at a Marietta museum next year and then return to the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus as part of the collection, according to the Ohio History Connection, formerly known as the state historical society.

The 5-inch-by-3-inch carved stone tablet depicting two human faces is a rare artifact from the Adena culture. It was created between 500 B.C. and A.D. 100 and has a value estimated at up to $200,000.

The late Edward Low of Reynoldsburg found it as a child while playing on a hill in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He later ended up in a legal battle with the historical society after Low said he loaned the tablet to the society, but the group considered the item a donation and refused Low’s request to return it.

Low sued, and a jury deciding the case in 2012 sided with the historical society.

The History Connection’s director told The Columbus Dispatch the new plans for displaying the tablet end the long-running dispute.

“It will permanently be part of the collection and be on display,” executive director Burt Logan said.

It is expected to begin a yearlong run on display at Campus Martius Museum in Marietta next year.