Archaeology Month 2013: Activities and Events in Florida and Arizona

Archaeology month is coming up in one short day and activities and events are springing up everywhere across the globe. Check out the latest things to do during Archaeology Month in Arizona and Florida.

Arizona

Archaeology will be the topic of discussion throughout March in national monuments in northern Arizona.

Throughout the month, visit Walnut Canyon National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument to learn more about the science of archaeology and how it applied in these national monuments.

In the Flagstaff Area National Monuments alone, more than 3,000 archaeological sites have been recorded. Some of the artifacts found in the monuments are more than 10,000 years old. Through a combination of archaeological information and the oral traditions of present-day tribes, you can learn more about how the Ancestral Puebloan people lived and how their descendants continue many of the traditions and life-ways today.

To celebrate the incredible history and the unique environments of the Flagstaff National Monuments, there will be guided Discovery Hikes, evening Lantern Hikes, and kids' Craft Days. All events are family friendly. Guided Discovery Hikes and Lantern Hikes require reservations.

For information and reservations to the events, contact Lisa Baldwin, 928-526-1157 x233 or Lisa_Baldwin@nps.gov

More Events

Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Free demonstrations and displays about ancient American Indian technologies with lots of activities for children at Coconino National Forest's Red Rock Ranger Station, 8375 Highway 179, one mile south of the Village of Oak Creek.

Sunday, March 3 at 2 p.m. - Demonstration on how to build a bow and arrow at Red Rock State Park, 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd. next to Sedona. Entrance fee. See azstateparks.com.

Saturdays on March 2 and 16 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. - Workshop on how to make adobe bricks at Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde. Contact Sheila Stubler at 928-567-3275 or sstubler@azstateparks.gov. Entrance fee.

Saturdays on March 2, 9, 16 and 23 at 7 p.m. - International Archaeology Film Fest features a different archaeological documentary each Saturday at Camp Verde Auditorium Theater, 370 Camp Lincoln Rd. Sponsored by the Verde Valley Archaeology Center. For film details, costs and more information go online to nafestival.org. Entrance fee. Call 928-649-6195 ext. 225 for info.

Every Saturday in March at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Open house featuring Yavapai-Apache Nation historic photos, baskets and pottery at Clarkdale Historical Society and Museum, 900 First North St.

Thursday, March 7 at 2 p.m. - Walking tour about the history of archaeology at Tuzigoot National Monument near Clarkdale. Entrance fee. See nps.gov/tuzi.

Saturday, March 9 at 9 a.m. - Hikes to "Walled Village" and "Life on the Edge" archaeology sites from the prehistoric Perry Mesa Culture on the Agua Fria National Monument. Both sites contain petroglyphs and one has a large room block. Reservations are required and limited. Call Steve Brown at 623-249-4460 or email him at steven@aguafria.org.

Saturdays on March 9 and 16 at 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. - V Bar V Heritage Site ancient technology demonstrations and petroglyph viewing on Coconino National Forest. From Sedona exit 298 off Interstate 17, turn east and go two miles on Forest Road 618. Entrance fee. See redrockcountry.org.

Saturdays on March 9 and 23 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. - Living history presentations and guided tours at Fort Verde State Historic Park, 125 E. Hollamon St. in Camp Verde. Entrance fee. See azstateparks.com.

Thursday, March 14 at 10 a.m. - Free lecture and tour at Montezuma Well National Monument at 5525 Beaver Creek Rd. next to Rimrock. Learn about the ancient Sinagua culture. See nps.gov/moca/Montezuma-well.htm.

Saturdays on March 16 and 23 at 9:30 a.m. - Free hike to the historic Back Ranch at Montezuma Well National Monument at 5525 Beaver Creek Rd. next to Rimrock. See nps.gov/moca/Montezuma-well.htm.

Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. - Lecture about King Woolsey and Gov. Goodwin's 1864 expedition with 80 miners to Verde Valley and downriver to Casa Blanca, at Red Rock State Park, 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd. next to Sedona. Entrance fee. See azstateparks.com

Tuesday, March 19 at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Auto tour to historic Peeples Valley and Skull Valley with the Desert Caballeros Western Museum of Wickenburg. Visit an historic schoolhouse and museum. Lunch at Skull Valley Café. Reservations required. Cost is $50. Call Sarah Browning at 928-684-2272, ext. 100, or email her at reservations@westernmuseum.org.

Thursday, March 21 at 2 p.m. - Walking tour on history of archaeology at Montezuma Castle National Monument, 2800 Montezuma Castle Rd. next to Camp Verde. Entrance fee. See nps.gov/moca.

Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24 - V Bar V Archaeology Discovery Days Fair at V Bar V Heritage Site on the Coconino National Forest features demonstrations of ancient Indian technologies and Yavapai-Apache Nation Dancers. Entrance fee. From Sedona exit 298 off Interstate 17, turn east and go two miles on Forest Road 618. See redrockcountry.org.

Thursday, March 28 at 10 a.m. - Lecture and tour about environmental influences on Sinagua settlement at Montezuma Castle National Monument, 2800 Montezuma Castle Rd. next to Camp Verde. Entrance fee. See nps.gov/moca.

Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Free open house at historic George Hance House at 229 Coppinger St. next to Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde.

Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Free open house at Camp Verde Historical Society Museum, 435 S. Main St.

Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Free open house at Camp Verde historic stone jail with blacksmith demonstrations, 44 Hollamon St.

Saturday and Sunday, March 30-31 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Free Verde Valley Archaeology Fair at Camp Verde Community Center, corner of Main and Holloman. Archaeology demonstrations, lectures, arts and entertainment. See verdevalleyarchaeology.org.


State Park Event Calendar

Florida

Florida's diverse history and prehistory stretches back over 12,000 years. Every March, statewide programs and events celebrating Florida Archaeology Month are designed to encourage Floridians and visitors to learn more about the archaeology and history of the state, and to preserve these important parts of Florida's rich cultural heritage. Plan to attend some of the many events throughout Florida during March 2013. A full listing of events can be found on the events page linked at the top of the page.

Florida Archaeology Month 2013 explores the last 500 years of Florida history. Information about local events can be found on the Florida Anthropological Society (FAS) Website, and on local FAS chapter Websites that can be accessed from the main FAS Webpage

Florida Archaeology Month is coordinated by the Florida Anthropological Society, and supported by the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. Additional sponsors for 2013 include the Florida Archaeological Council, Florida Public Archaeology Network, state and local museums, historical commissions, libraries, and public and private school systems. The 2013 poster is available through the local Florida Anthropological Society Chapters and can also be acquired at the Florida Public Archaeology Network's Destination Archaeology Resource Center museum.

Mar, 7, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Archaeological Overview of the Seminole Wars in Hernando County

Mar, 7, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
AIA Lecture: Food and Foreigners in Rome and Beyond

Mar, 7, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
History and Prehistory of the New River lecture

Mar, 7, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Florida's First Arrivals: How we know what we know

Mar, 8, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Mosquitoes, Muggles, and Museums

Mar, 8, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Geocaching Talk: Mosquitoes, Muggles, and Museums

Event Calendar