| Discover Your Inner Archaeologist |
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| February 29, 2008 |
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March is Florida Archaeology Month. Dig into the past with a kick-off celebration in Pensacola, Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Florida Public Archaeology Network Building, 207 E. Main Street, Pensacola.
Florida history goes back easily 12,000 years. This month encourages all of us, visitors and Floridians, to learn more about the state's history and ways to preserve it. The theme for 2008 is the significance of fortifications and defense structures in Florida.
It is easy to picture the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine with its thick, enduring coquina walls. The fort was built between 1672 and 1695. But did you know some Native American tribes in Florida built defensive walls around their villages to keep out other tribes? Ah, so much to learn, so little time . . .
For Saturday's celebration in Pensacola, there will be a free archaeology poster for every child. If being in Pensacola doesn't fit in with your Saturday plans, go to the Florida Public Archaeology Web site and download a PDF copy of the front and back of the poster. Use the same Web site to check public archaeology chapters around the state and see if they are doing anything special this month.
During the celebration in Pensacola, take a guided tour of the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, the Colonial Archaeological Trail and St. Michael's Cemetery, all within easy walking distance in downtown historic Pensacola. Just FYI - I was in Pensacola this week and it was breezy jacket weather. Check the weather before going.
Bring your artifacts on Saturday to be examined by professional archaeologists.
The whole family will find hands on activities to do - children and adults can do a mock excavation, archaeological lab work, coil pot making, maritime archaeology activities and atlatl spear throwing. Stand back!
In the middle of the month, the archaeology celebration continues - this time in Fort Walton Beach. Downtown Fort Walton Beach keeps up with the past with an Archaeology and Heritage Day Open House on Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The three museums at the Heritage Park and Cultural Center are all going to be open and free to the public - the Indian Temple Mound Museum, Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum and Garnier Post Office Museum. To know more visit their Web site at www.fwb.org/museum.
Enjoy authentic Native American stew. See living history interpretations and primitive skills demonstrations. Think about combining this event with a few days of staying along the beaches of northwest Florida. Ah, the possibilities . . .
It is official. March is the month to discover your inner archaeologist. Have fun. |
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| Front of 2008 Florida Archaeology Month poster |
| Credit: Poster designed by Jodi Marchil. Photo credit: Florida Department of State |
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