Cahokia Mounds plans Archaeology Day

Historic Monk's Mound at Cahokia Mounds. Historic Monk's Mound at Cahokia Mounds. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Cahokia Mounds plans Archaeology Day 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site offers visitors a chance on Aug. 6 to learn ancient skills like making stone tools and throwing spears and then to see how archaeologists dig up the facts about ancient cultures.

Archaeology Day will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event features craft demonstrations, archaeological techniques and artifact processing, tours of excavations, and several hands-on activities.

Experts will demonstrate making a bow and arrow, turning flint into arrowheads and tools, carving stone, weaving and spinning fibers. Visitors can also try their hand at playing the Native American “chunkey” game or throwing spears with an atlatl spear-thrower.

Visitors can tour archaeological excavations, sift soils from the digs and help wash artifacts found during excavations. Archaeologists and specialists will demonstrate techniques such as identifying animal bones. Displays with representatives from other archeological sites and institutions will be set up.

Food and refreshment stands will be available, including kettle “maize.”

In case of rain, most of the activities will move inside the Interpretive Center.

Archaeology Day is sponsored by the Cahokia Archaeological Society with cooperation from the Cahokia Mounds staff and Volunteers, the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society and the Powell Archaeological Research Center. For more information, call (618) 346-5160 or visit www.cahokiamounds.org.

The historic site’s mounds are the largest Native American earthworks north of Mexico. They were part of a huge city created by the Mississippian culture that flourished 1,000 years ago in the Midwest and South.

The site is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. IHPA protects the state’s historic resources, which contribute to education, culture and the economy. IHPA sites include ancient burial mounds, forts and buildings erected by settlers, and homes connected to famous Illinoisans.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is off Interstates 55/70 (exit 6) and Interstate 255 (exit 24), on Collinsville Road.