International Archaeology Day celebration

October is Archaeology Month in Oklahoma and internationally, and Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center will celebrate International Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 17, 2020, with a lecture, a guided walk, and many other activities. Oklahoma Archaeology Month is sponsored and promoted by the Oklahoma Anthropological Society and the Oklahoma Public Archaeology Network and includes many more events throughout Oklahoma during the month of October. Many of these events will be held virtually.

Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is the only prehistoric American Indian archaeological site in Oklahoma open to the public and is the perfect place to celebrate Archaeology Month. Lectures about the prehistory and history of this region will start at 11 a.m. There also will be a guided tour of the site at 2 p.m. led by manager Dennis Peterson. The regular exhibits will be available throughout the day as well. Several expert flint knappers, or stone tool makers, will be on hand to show off their skills from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An archaeologist will be available to identify artifact collections for visitors during that same time. Educational games and activities will be available throughout the day.

Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center will observe COVID-19 precautions. To promote social distancing, no more than 10 people will be allowed in the center at any time, although more are permitted on the trails while keeping six-foot distancing. Demonstrations and activities will be held outside as much as possible. The Oklahoma Historical Society requires face masks in all public areas of its museums, sites and affiliates, including Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center.

If you would like to know more about Archaeology Month events, please visit www.ou.edu/okpan. For more information on Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, please contact Dennis Peterson at 918-962-2062 or spiro@okhistory.org. Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is located three miles east of Spiro on Highway 9/271 and four miles north on Lock and Dam Road.