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

Horseshoe Ranch will host state Archaeology Expo

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will get to show off the historic Horseshoe Ranch March 16 when the state hosts its annual Arizona Archaeology Expo there.

The free expo is the centerpiece of a long list of activities celebrating Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Month in March. It takes place at a different location each year.

Game and Fish purchased the 200-acre ranch, which is surrounded by the Agua Fria National Monument, to protect it from development.

"The Archaeology Expo provides a special opportunity for visitors to learn more about the importance of preserving archaeological sites and historic places, interesting facts about the history and prehistory of Arizona, and how the public can become stewards of the past," said Kris Dobschuetz of the State Historic Preservation Office, which is organizing Archaeology Month events.

The expo will feature tours of archaeology sites on the monument and ranch by the Friends of the Agua Fria National Monument, music, lectures, demonstrations of flint knapping and more than 30 exhibitors. Visitors can try their hand at throwing ancient spears and rabbit sticks, then investigate more than 200 tools used in previous centuries.

"I think it's going to be excellent public outreach, and we're excited to be co-hosting it," said Amanda James, Agua Fria Monument manager for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. "And we're very fortunate to have our Friends group guide hikes and provide public outreach."

The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It also features free prize raffles, and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can fulfill merit badge requirements.

To reach the ranch from Cordes Junction, drive south on Interstate 17 to the Bloody Basin exit and go east to the ranch. Cars are able to make the trip on the dirt road when it's dry.

This year's Archaeology Month theme is "Life on the Edge: Feast or Famine in Arizona's Past."

Nearly 100 events in Arizona throughout Archaeology Month include everything from films to demonstrations of prehistoric American Indian technologies to tours of ancient pueblos. See azstateparks.com for a full list of activities.

"One of the main goals of the month-long celebration is to provide opportunities for the public to appreciate the collective past and understand the importance of protecting these fragile and non-renewable resources," Dobschuetz said.

At the expo, people also can learn more about the future plans for the Horseshoe Ranch.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department bought the ranch, water rights and 70,000-acre grazing allotment rights for $3.3 million in 2011, using a federal grant and state lottery money. The Game and Fish Commission committed to managing the ranch for habitat conservation and public use.

The ranch sits at the gateway to the Agua Fria National Monument. It features two homes, bunkhouses, a large barn, storage buildings, ancient rock art and a half-mile stretch of the Agua Fria River.

Game and Fish has been coordinating with the public, BLM and other agencies on the future uses of the Horseshoe Ranch and its grazing leases.

Game and Fish plans to start renovating structures at the ranch in March, spokesman Randy Babb said. The agency also is working on signs and on-site interpretive materials for the public. It could take a few years to get it all done, he said.

"We are keen to maintain the historic current aspect of the ranch along with providing opportunities for the public to learn about the area when they visit," Babb said.

Source: Dcourier