Annual Archaeology Expo At Catalina State Park Is On March 29

For the entire month of March, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)/Arizona State Parks (ASP) is coordinating events throughout the state for the 32nd 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.

Proclaimed By The Governor

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.

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 Catalina State Park on Saturday, March 29 rom 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Expo is free and open to the public

Why It Is Important

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.

Local Archaeological Sites

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.

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.

Remaining events are as follow:

Coolidge

March 23, 29 — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Ancient Technology Day 10 am - 2 pm ; Diana Garcia, (520) 723-3172, ext. 112.

March 22, 30 — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Site Tour: Backcountry Sites at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument 9 am.. (520) 723-3172 (must talk with ranger to confirm tour, not just leave a message)

Mesa

Thursdays through Sundays in March — Mesa Grande, 10th & Date St.Tours of Mesa Grande Mound and Museum Thursdays & Fridays 10 am - 4 pm; Saturdays 11 am - 4 pm; Sundays noon - 4 pm. Tours of Mesa Grande Mound and Museum. Must be booked at least one week in advance; Alison Stoltman, (480) 644-3553 or alison.stoltman@mesaaz.gov or http://www.azmnh.org.

Phoenix

March 22 — Pioneers Cemetery/Park is located along W. Jefferson Ave. at 14th Ave. Historical Walk: Pioneers' Cemetery. 10:30 am registration, 11 am tour. Debe Branning, (602) 534-1262 or nazanaza@aol.com.

March 22 — Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeology Park Petroglyph Discovery Hike 7 - 10 am. Sponsored by the PGM. An experienced PGM guide will lead participants on a three-mile, three-hour interpretive hike through South Mountain. Advance registration is required by March 20. Laura Andrew, (602) 495-0901 or laura.andrew@phoenix.gov.

March 22 — Deer Valley Rock Art Center Rock Art Expo 10 am - 4 pm. Visit the Deer Valley Rock Art Center for its biggest event of the year! Free. Jillian Viar, (623) 582-8007 or jviar@asu.edu.

March 28 — Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeology Park Tour of the Park of Four Waters 10 -11 am. Tours are free with paid administration. Laura Andrew, (602) 495-0901 or laura.andrew@phoenix.gov or http://www.PuebloGrande.com.

Wickenburg

March 21 - 23 — Desert Caballeros Western Museum 9th Annual Invitational Exhibition and Sale: Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West 10 am - 3 pm. DCWM, 21 N. Frontier St. Contact Becky Rovey, (928) 684-2272, ext. 102, http://www.westernmuseum.org, for ticket information.

March 25 — Desert Caballeros Western Museum Desert Adventure Tour: Ghost Towns. 9 am - 3 pm. Becky Rovey, (928) 684-2272, ext. 102, http://www.westernmuseum.org, for ticket information.