Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is holding its fifth annual Archaeology Day on Saturday, August 1, 2009, from 10 am to 4 pm. The event will feature demonstrations of ancient crafts, tours of excavations, demonstrations of archaeological techniques and artifact processing, and several hands-on activities.

Sponsored by the Cahokia Archaeological Society, Archaeology Day is an event that allows the public to learn more about the various aspects of archaeology, from excavations to analyzing artifacts, as well as experimental archaeology. Skilled craftpersons will be demonstrating bow and arrow making, flintknapping and tool use, shell, bone and gourd carving, fingerweaving and fiber spinning, and more.

The public can tour the excavations and help sift soils from the digs, and they can help wash artifacts found during the summer excavations. Archaeologists and specialists will be demonstrating the identification of animal bones; using instruments for remote sensing to detect subsurface features; the uses of various plants for food and medicine; the results of soil coring tests around Monks Mound; and the various types of Indian rock art. Visitors can also try their hand at playing the chunkey game or throwing spears with an atlatl spearthrower. A professional storyteller will tell stories that will appeal to all age groups.

There will also be displays with representatives from other archeological sites and institutions. Food and refreshment stands will be available, including kettle “maize”. The event is free and open to the public and will be held outside under shelters. In case of rain, most of the activities will move inside the Interpretive Center.

This event 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.