Autumnal Equinox Walks, Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center

Visit the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center on September 22 for the Autumnal Equinox Walks. As the end of summer nears and crops are ready for harvest, the time of year arrives for the most important of ceremonies for the eastern American Indians: the Busk or Green Corn Ceremony. The Green Corn ceremony was a harvest and renewal ceremony that took place around the Autumnal Equinox in the Spiro area. Visitors will learn about the Green Corn Ceremony on the guided walks.

Each day there will be three walks beginning at 11 am, 2 pm and 7 pm, led by archaeologist and Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center Manager Dennis Peterson. Each walk will take about two hours and require a mile of easy walking. Peterson will tell about this unique prehistoric American Indian mound site, the types of mounds, why they were created and why some of the mounds are lined up for the sunsets of the solstice and equinox sunsets. He also will discuss the history of the excavations, American Indian ceremonies and stories, tales of the unusual happenings associated with the mounds, and will answer your questions.

There is a small fee for this series of tours of $5 for adults and $3 for children in addition to the daily admission fee. Oklahoma Historical Society members do not pay the daily admission fee. No reservations are required except for large groups. Cash and checks are accepted; no credit cards please.

The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is the only prehistoric American Indian site open to the public in Oklahoma and is administered by the Oklahoma Historical Society.