Celebrate Archaeology Month in Missouri State Parks

First posted on 09-08-2009

September is Archaeology Month and five 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. 19 - Archaeology Day, Graham Cave State Park, Danville, 573-564-3476. Learn about the artifacts that were discovered during excavations of Graham Cave. Observe how arrowheads are made with flintknapping demonstrations. Enjoy looking at fur pelts and learning about Missouri’s fur-bearing mammals. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Sept. 19 – Artifact Road Show, Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, Lexington, 660-259-4654. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., bring prehistoric and historic artifacts to the historic site to be identified by John Peterson, archaeologist from Fort Osage National Historic Landmark in Jackson County.

* Sept. 20 – Artifact Road Show and Exhibit, Van Meter State Park, Miami, 660-886-7537. Do you have artifacts or other archaeological objects that you want to learn more about? Members of the Sedalia-West Central Chapter of the Missouri Archaeological Society will be on hand to help identify your objects from 2 to 5 p.m. at Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center in the park. Pieces of their collections will also be on display.

* Sept. 26 – Archaeology Day, Iliniwek Village State Historic Site, Sainte Francisville, 660-877-3871. Displays will be presented at the site’s long and round houses. The role of the bison will be explained and historical maps of the region will be presented. Take a walking tour of the site and listen to a talk titled “History Coming Alive.” Literature and refreshments will be available. The event, which will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and the Iliniwek chapter of the Missouri Archaeology Society.

* Sept. 26-27 – Archaeology Day, Mastodon State Historic Site, Imperial, 636-464-2976. On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., artisans will demonstrate skills of prehistoric Native Americans including flintknapping spear points. Children are invited to paint rocks, grind corn and crack walnuts. Local artifacts will be displayed and visitors can bring artifacts for identification. 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.

For more information, contact the individual parks or historic sites or the Missouri 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.

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