Celebrate Archaelogy Day in Missouri State Parks

First posted on 09-15-2008

September is Archaeology Month, and three state parks and historic sites will host special programs related to archaeological excavations in Missouri. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, these programs and events are free and open to the public.

The following state parks and historic sites are hosting events:

* Sept. 20 - Archaeology Day, Graham Cave State Park, Danville, 573-564-3476. From
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants can join in events such as spear throwing. They can learn about Missouri fur-bearing animals and how to make spears, projectile points and bone crafts. Graham family descendents and Brant Vollman, archaeologist with the department’s Division of State Parks, will be on hand to answer questions about Graham Cave history and the early excavations. The University of Missouri will display artifacts excavated from Graham Cave, and the Three Rivers Chapter of the Missouri Archaeological Society will participate with an assortment of activities and point identification.
* Sept. 27-28—Archaeology Day, Mastodon State Historic Site, Imperial, 636-464-2976. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, artisans will demonstrate skills of prehistoric Native Americans including flintnapping spear points. Visitors are invited to throw spears using an atlatl, a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity while throwing, and a target. Children are invited to paint rocks, grind corn and crack walnuts. Local artifacts will be displayed and visitors can bring artifacts for identification. These activities take place on Saturday only. As part of the event, admission to the historic site’s museum and museum annex will be free on Saturday and Sunday. The museum will be open on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
* Sept. 27—Archaeology Day, Iliniwek Village State Historic Site, Wayland,
660-877-3871. This event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include flintknapping, pottery making and firing, archaeological excavation technique demonstrations, and an atlatl (spear throwing) demonstration and contest. Artifacts from the historic site as well as private collections will be on display. Visitors are welcome to bring Indian artifacts for display or identification. Special programs on archaeology will also be featured. Free food and refreshments, including bison burgers and fish, will be served throughout the day.

For more information, contact the individual parks or historic sites or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at http://www.mostateparks.com.