For the entire month of March 2009, the Arizona State Parks' State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is coordinating activities throughout the state for the 26th anniversary celebration of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month.
These events will focus on current efforts to preserve our past by protecting our fragile and non-renewable cultural resources. Museums, historical societies, tribes, agencies, parks, and archaeology organizations will be hosting events across the state; many of the events are planned in Arizona State Parks as part of their interpretive programs (see specific events and dates below).
Proclaimed by the Governor each year, this celebration will feature prehistoric and historic site tours, exhibits, hikes, open houses, lectures, demonstrations and other activities throughout Arizona.
Ken Travous, Executive Director of Arizona State Parks, states: "The Arizona State Parks' Board is a strong advocate of combining education with entertainment to reach both adults and children. Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month is an example of just such a combination that teaches responsible stewardship of our cultural resources."
On Saturday, March 14th, and Sunday, March 15th, 2009, the ARIZONA ARCHAEOLOGY EXPO will be the featured event for the month. The Expo will offer many educational attractions for archaeology and history buffs and will be held at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, 4619 E. Washington Street, Phoenix. Both days are open to the public (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the event is FREE. The Expo provides a special opportunity for visitors to learn more about why it is important to preserve archaeological sites and historic places, what archaeologists, historians, and tribal members do in their jobs, and about the prehistory and history of Arizona. Both days will feature archaeology hands-on activities, craft demonstrations, and other fun and educational events. Special displays and booths by more than 40 archaeological and historical organizations, museums, Native American tribes, state and federal agencies, and others will allow you to participate as an archaeologist might in their research today, or make crafts that teach how prehistoric Native Americans and other early inhabitants survived in the Southwest. A simulated archaeological excavation, tours of the prehistoric platform mound, ruins stabilization demonstrations, "behind the scene" tours of archaeology labs and artifact collection rooms and talks by local archaeologists will be special attractions at this year's Expo. Living history re-enactors, storytellers, Native American demonstrators and entertainers, and interactive activities will help make the past come alive! In addition, tours of archaeological sites in and around the local area will be featured.
Free prize raffles will occur throughout both days, and ethnic foods will be available for purchase. The Expo will give visitors new insights into Arizona's many prehistoric, historic, and contemporary cultures, and will help instill a sense of stewardship for our state's fragile and nonrenewable heritage resources.
Some of the many Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month events scheduled throughout the state include:
Coolidge
Saturdays & Sundays in March - Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Site Tours: Backcountry Sites at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Suitable for Children
9 am. Special Ranger-guided, 1½ mile, tours of the backcountry archaeological sites. These sites are normally closed to the public in order to help protect the fragile ruins. Advanced registration is recommended, as the tours are limited to 10 people. Tours visit the prehistoric ball court, Compound B, and an ancient roasting pit or "horno." Regular entrance fees apply. Plan to arrive at the Park Visitor Center by 8:45 am and wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain is uneven. Water is recommended. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, 1100 Ruins Drive, Coolidge.
Globe Area
March 21 & 22 - Tonto National Monument
Open House: Trails to Upper and Lower Cliff Dwellings at Tonto National Monument Suitable for Children
8 am - 5 pm. Sponsored by National Park Service. No tour reservations needed (regular entrance fees apply). Bring water and appropriate hiking shoes. Tonto National Monument, 30 miles northwest of Globe on Highway 188.
Mesa
March 7 - Mesa Grande Archaeological Site
Family Day at the Mesa Grande Archaeological Site Suitable for Children
8 - 11 am. Led by Jerry Howard, Ph.D., Curator and Archaeologist. Sponsored by Arizona Museum of Natural History, the Mesa Grande Neighborhood Alliance, & the Southwest Archaeology Team. Tour a large, prehistoric Hohokam temple mound, view prehistoric technology demonstrations, and participate in ancient games. Breakfast provided from 8 - 9:30 am. Contact the Museum at (480) 644-2230 for directions to the site.
Phoenix
March 3 - 31 - Deer Valley Rock Art Center
11th Annual Children's Art Exhibit Wheelchair Accessible Suitable for Children
10 am - 4 pm. The Deer Valley Rock Art Center is proud to host this exhibit that highlights the significance of rock art and archaeology in Arizona through the eyes of kids. The juried show is open to kids K-8 and must represent an Arizona rock art or archaeology theme. The awards ceremony will take place at the free festival on March 28.
March 7 - Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
Archaeology for Kids Suitable for Children
9:30 am - 12:30 pm. Sponsored by the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. How do archaeologists learn about past cultures such as the Hohokam Indians? How did the Hohokam survive in the desert? What did they eat and what tools did they use for hunting? Why was the ancient site at Pueblo Grande built? You will discover the answer to these questions and more! Activities are for ages 7-12. Bring comfortable walking shoes, hat and sunscreen. Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 East Washington Street, Phoenix.
Superior
March 28 & 29 - Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Maggie Leef Photography Class: "Petroglyphs: A Path To Deeper Appreciation"
8:30 to 11:30 am. This photography workshop at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is for participants who want to learn more about petroglyph appreciation and petroglyph photography. Topics covered include petroglyph respect and preservation, historical perspectives and context, terminology and usage concerns, federal and state laws and the Arizona Site Steward Program (instructor Maggie Leef is as award-winning site steward!). A discussion of petroglyph photography includes sections on composition, light, filters and reflector usage, as well as using specific camera settings such as metering, bracketing, white balance and exposure compensation.
Optional field trip on March 29 to photograph the ancient symbols carved into rocks along the Hieroglypic Canyon trail north of Gold Canyon. Sunday's walk from 8 to 11 am will feature a guest tour guide -- Ethno-botanist David Morris will help lead the walk March 29 as part of this workshop which celebrates Archaeology Month.
Petroglyphs are an irreplaceable part of our national heritage. $25 for Arboretum annual members, $32.50 for non-members. To enroll, call Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park staff at (520) 689-2723.
Springerville
Throughout March - Casa Malpais Museum
Displays: Casa Malpais Museum Wheelchair Accessible Suitable for Children
8 am - 4 pm. Visit displays of prehistoric artifacts from the site of Casa Malpais, a unique pueblo dating from 1250 to about 1400 that was built to take advantage of existing caves. Many of these caves form a system of catacomb-like rooms under the pueblo. Casa Malpais Museum, 318 East Main Street.
Throughout March - Casa Malpais Museum
Guided Tours: Casa Malpais Archaeological Site Suitable for Children
9 am, 11 am, 2 pm. A unique pueblo dating from 1250 to about 1400 that was built to take advantage of existing caves. Many of these caves form a system of catacomb-like rooms under the pueblo. Be prepared; wear appropriate hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen and bring water. Cost of $7.00/person. Meet at the Casa Malpais Museum, 318 East Main Street, Springerville.
Whiteriver Area
Throughout March - Fort Apache Historic District
Walking Tour: Fort Apache Historic Park and Museum Wheelchair Accessible Suitable for Children
8 am - 5 pm. Take self-guided walking tours of Fort Apache Historic District, Kinishba Ruins National Historic Landmark and Museum. Park is open daily; museum is open Monday through Friday and is located 4 miles south of White River, or 30 minutes south of Lakeside and Pinetop. Visit the Tribe's website at fortapachearizona.org for more information.
Safford
March 4 - Bureau of Land Management, Gila District, Safford Field Office
Hike: Visit Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Sites around the Safford Valley Suitable for Children7 am. Sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management, Gila District, Safford Field Office. Visit three historic period sites used by the CCC. FREE. Be prepared: wear appropriate shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bring lots of water. High clearence vehicle required. Call to reserve, or for more information.