State’s 2013Archaeology/Heritage Awareness Month

For the entire month of March 2013, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)/Arizona State Parks (ASP) is coordinating activities throughout the state for the 30th annual celebration of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month (AAHAM). These events will focus on current efforts to preserve our past by protecting our fragile and non-renewable cultural resources.

AAHAM combines education with entertainment to reach both adults and children in an effort to teach responsible stewardship of our cultural resources. Museums, historical societies, tribes, agencies, parks, and archaeology organizations will be hosting events across the state; events are also planned in Arizona State Parks as part of their interpretive programs.

By Proclamation

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. A free statewide listing of these events and activities will be available in January, 2013 by contacting the ASP offices at (602) 542-4174, or by visiting the ASP website at http://www.azstateparks.com.

The featured event for the month is the ARIZONA ARCHAEOLOGY EXPO (Expo). This year's Expo will offer many educational attractions for archaeology and history buffs, and will be located at the historic Horseshoe Ranch on the Agua Fria National Monument, north of Phoenix, on Saturday, March 16, 2013, from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. The Expo is open to the public and is free. The Arizona Game & Fish Department and the Bureau of Land Management are co-hosting the event.

Hands-On, Educational Events

The Expo will provide 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. The Expo will feature archaeology-related hands-on activities, craft demonstrations, and other fun and educational events.

In addition, Boy Scout and Girl Scout merit badge requirements can be fulfilled at the Expo! Special displays and booths by 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 and tools that teach how prehistoric Native Americans and other early inhabitants survived in the Southwest. Cultural and historical demonstrators, talks by archaeologists, and interactive activities will help make the past come alive! In addition, tours of local archaeological sites (rock art and pueblos) will be offered.

Free Prize Raffles

Free prize raffles will occur throughout the day. 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.

For information about all 27 Arizona State Parks, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703), visit the website at http://www.AZStateparks.com or Twitter/Facebook AZStateParks.