The second annual Mississippi Archaeology Expo: A Hands-on Family Fair will be held on Saturday, October 17 at Millsaps College from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The fair, which celebrates Archaeology Month, includes a variety of free, family activities including pottery design and making, basket weaving, spear throwing, bracelet making and flintknapping. In addition, archaeologists from around the state will be available to help identify any artifacts brought to the fair.
“Archaeology plays a vital role in Mississippi’s unique heritage,” said Millsaps College archaeology professor Michael Galaty. “We encourage parents to come bring their kids for a day-long event that’s fun and educational. The goal is to show kids, and their parents, that there is so much more to archaeology than what you see in Indiana Jones movies.”
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will demonstrate the tribal game of stickball, bead making, drum making and basket weaving. Special guest is Bryan Haley, a Mississippi archaeologist who was on the PBS Time Team America television series.
The Archaeology Expo is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 17 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 fair is held every October to celebrate Archaeology Month. The Mississippi Archaeological Association, Jackson Chapter, has organized the Archaeology Expo to accurately portray the vital role archaeology plays in uncovering and celebrating Mississippi’s unique cultural heritage. MAA aspires to showcase archaeology and wishes to enhance our appreciation for our irreplaceable archaeological resources.
Additional sponsors include the Mississippi Department of Archives & History, Mississippi Department of Transportation, Mississippi Professional Archaeology Association, Cobb Institute of Archaeology, Brockington Cultural Resources Consulting, and Earth Search, Inc. For more information, contact Cliff Jenkins, Expo Project Chair, at 601-965-4139 ext. 115.
