Anthropology students, professors host events during Archaeology Month

<p>September marks Indiana's twenty-first annual Archaeology Month. Archaeology Day activities will happen at Mounds State Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sep. 26.<em>Indiana DNR // Photo Courtesy</em></p>

Archaeology Day activities will be happening at Mounds State Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 26, and the event is free with park admission.

As September begins and students and staff get into the swing of the semester, Indiana’s twenty-first annual Archaeology Month is also kicking off.

The celebration offers students and citizens around the state a chance to learn more about the archaeological profession, even making hands-on activities available at upcoming events later this month.

Archaeology Month allows Hoosiers to learn more about the discipline of archaeology, the archaeological sites in the state and the laws which protect these sites.

Amber Yuellig, Administrative Coordinator of the Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State, said Archeology Month is also an important time of year for students in the AAL. Students are able to connect with Hoosiers around the state while also learning more about the field professionally.

“Archaeology Month allows us the opportunity to reach out to people so they can feel empowered about their history and have ownership over protecting it,” Yuellig said.

This year, the AAL is most involved in Archaeology Day at Mounds State Park in Anderson, Yuellig said. Having hosted the event since 2005, Yuellig said students and staff from Ball State's anthropology department will be at the park on Sept. 26 to put on demonstrations and answer questions. This event, Yuellig said, is not just for Ball State students — any visitors interested in learning about Indiana and its early history are invited.

Participants will be able to take part in an artifact identification session, play traditional Native American games such as "chunkey" and view an excavations taking place at Mounds State Park.

Other Archeology Month events are listed below.

Artifact Identification – (Noblesville) Sept. 10

Bring your archaeological artifacts in for archaeologist Jim Mohow to identify and discuss.

Andersontown Powwow & Indian Market, Anderson – (Anderson) Sept. 10

Native American Powwow featuring music, dancing, cultural presentations, demonstrations, Woodland Indians camp, children’s activities and more.

Archaeology Day – (Anderson) Sept. 24

Archaeologist Wade Tharp of the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology will be attending and will have free archaeological posters and handouts plus commemorative Archaeology Month shirts for purchase.

Visit the Indiana's Historic Preservation and Archeology website for a full schedule.