Dig into the past at this free event in Moundsville
Moundsville, W.Va –– This Saturday, October 11, Archaeology Day will commence at Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free and open to all ages, offering hands-on activities and demonstrations. Visitors will get the chance to learn about past peoples from professional archaeologists, view exhibits, and visit the Indigenous burial site, Grave Creek Mound.
“We are so excited to host this event and highlight Archaeology Day. The team at Grave Creek has been working hard to plan a fun event that includes activities for all ages,” said Ennis Smith, Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Tourism.
At 2 p.m., keynote speaker Chebon Kernell, a cultural educator and member of the Global Indigenous Language Caucus, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, will take the stage to share indigenous perspectives on indigenous traditions. Kernell is a descendant of mound-building Southeastern peoples; his presentation will highlight past, present and ongoing Indigenous beliefs and traditions connected to cultural sites throughout the country.
Event goers will have the opportunity to enjoy activities such as spear throwing and hands-on crafts. Professional archaeologists will also be on site performing artifact washing and soil flotation demonstrations. Visitors can also take part in behind-the-scenes laboratory tours.
The Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex is located at 801 Jefferson Ave., Moundsville, WV, 26041. For more information, call the complex at 304-843-4128.
About Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex
The Grave Creek Archaeological Complex is home to multiple entities, including a museum, an archaeological research center, and a site on the National Register of Historic Places. The mission of the complex is to preserve the Grave Creek Mound site, interpret the archaeological record of West Virginia for the public, and manage the state’s archaeological collections. The museum exhibits begin with fossils and ice age animals, a tour through archaeological sites in West Virginia, and then culminate with displays about the prehistoric Adena people and the construction of the Grave Creek Mound.
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