(09/30/08)
Artifacts such as these Mississippian period adzes, circa 1000 C.E., will be display at the Archaeology Expo on October 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Millsaps College Bowl. The first ever Mississippi Archaeology Expo: A Hands-on Family Fair will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Millsaps College.
The fair, which celebrates Archaeology Month, will feature more than 20 professional archaeologists from across the state. The archaeologists will lead hands-on activities to demonstrate the vital role archaeology plays in uncovering and celebrating Mississippi’s unique cultural heritage.
“We hope to make this an annual event,” said Millsaps College archaeology professor Dr. Michael Galaty. “We encourage parents to come bring their kids for a day-long event that’s fun and educational. Plus, what kid doesn’t like archaeology?”
A variety of free activities, for both children and adults, will be offered including interactive demonstrations of archaeological techniques, pottery design and making, rock art wall, atlatl (spear) throwing, Mississippi and Mayan artifact displays, cordage bracelet making, flintknapping (stone tool making), ground penetrating radar demonstration, and basket weaving and beading demonstrations.
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will perform tribal social dances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Organizers also encourage the public to bring their artifacts and archaeologists will help identify their origins.
The Archaeology Expo is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 18 in the Bowl at Millsaps College. Parking is available at the Riverside Drive entrance to campus. In case of rain, the fair will be held in the Boyd Campbell College Center on the Millsaps campus. The event is sponsored by the Mississippi Archaeology Association, the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Mississippi Arts Commission and Millsaps College.
For more information, contact Cliff Jenkins, Expo Project Chair, at 601-965-4139 ext. 115.
