Spiro Mounds 37th Birthday Bash and 10th Annual Archaeology Day

The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center will hold our Tenth Annual Archaeology Day on May 9, 2015. On this day the Spiro Mounds site will also celebrate its 37th birthday. As the only prehistoric, Native American archaeological site in Oklahoma that is open to the public, we want to make the public more aware of the past and the science of archaeology.

From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the past and historic artifacts. There will be professional archaeologists and knowledgeable avocationalists available to help explain, display and demonstrate the tools of prehistory. If you have arrowheads, pottery or other artifacts and would like to know what they are and about the people who made them this will be a great day to visit. We ask that you bring no more than five items per person.

There will also be presentation on the 1834-1838 occupation of Fort Coffee, which was built to control illegal goods coming into Indian Territory along the Arkansas River. Although the fort no longer exists and even the location is now gone into the river, it was important in the development of the Choctaw and Cherokee Nations in the early years after removal. We also hope to have representatives of both nations as re-enactors.

There will be opportunities to see tools being made from stone, flint-knapping, as well as chances to learn and play games like Chunkee and Stickball. There will be a sand box with things for small kids to find and a bubble area too. Donated items will be given away throughout the day.

There will be lectures from professional archaeologists and a special guided tour of the Spiro Mounds by manager and archaeologist, Dennis Peterson, at 2 p.m. There will even be birthday cake throughout the day.

Several artists will show their works in stone, pottery and painting, which include designs from the Spiro Mounds site. These artists will have a variety of pieces for sale.

This is an annual event and everyone is welcome to learn more about archaeology and one of the most unique prehistoric sites in the United States. This event is being made possible by help from the Oklahoma Archeological Survey, Oklahoma Anthropological Society, the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center.

The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is the only prehistoric Native American site open to the public in Oklahoma and is administered by the Oklahoma Historical Society. The Center is regularly open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. The Center does close for state holidays. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and $1 for children. The Center is located 3 miles east of Spiro, OK on highway 9/271 and 4 miles north on Lock and Dam Road. If you need more information or wish to schedule a group or school tour during the Solstice walks or some other time, please call 918-962-2062.