ASU Museum, Arkansas Archeological Survey, partner to host Native American cultural event March 6

Feb. 19, 2010 --The Arkansas State University Museum and the Arkansas Archeological Survey will partner to host a free archeological event that will allow guests to have Native American artifacts identified on Saturday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the ASU Museum, located at 320 University Loop West Circle, Jonesboro, in the west wing of the Dean B. Ellis Library. The event will be held in the museum’s Main Gallery on the second floor of the library building. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Julie Morrow, ASU station archeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey, and other professional archeologists, will be on hand to identify Native American pottery, stone tools, and stone points. Definitively identifying these objects helps visitors learn more about the age, function, and cultural meaning of objects that have been found throughout the region. The archeologists will not appraise, authenticate, or perform conservation. Visitors are invited to bring any artifacts—this is a great opportunity to learn about the people who lived in Arkansas hundreds, or even thousands, of years ago.

Visitors will also be able to create their own percussion instruments from recycled materials. Native Americans used percussion instruments such as drums, rattles, and bells for ceremonial, healing, and entertainment purposes. A Native American story will be set to the percussion rhythms that visitors create together.

Visitors can also earn two different scout patches at this event.  Two current ASU Museum exhibitions are worth a patch each; the exhibitions are Exploring the Frontier:  Arkansas 1540–1840 and the Native American culture exhibition, Portals of the Soul.  The necessary paperwork is available at the Museum, and the completed and signed forms can be taken to local scouting offices, where the patches may be purchased for a nominal fee.

This event offers something of interest for all ages. Families can explore history, archeology, mathematics, music, and the arts. The ASU Museum supports lifelong learning and encourages families to play together and learn together. 

For information on archeology-themed birthday parties, visit http://museum.astate.edu. Regular museum hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. The ASU Museum is closed on Mondays and university holidays. Admission is free, although donations are gratefully accepted. 

For more information, visit the ASU Museum online at http://www2.astate.edu/museum/, or call the museum at (870) 972-2074.
For more information, contact Lenore Shoults (lshoults@astate.edu), assistant director, ASU Museum, at (870) 972-2074.

Photo: Archaeologist Robert Taylor holding a Sloan Dalton point, circa 10,000 B.C.

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