ARKANSAS CELEBRATED ARCHEOLOGY MONTH 2012

Arkansas Archeology Month, with a theme of “Archeology of Communities,” was held this past March. Over 1,000 people attended the 40 programs held at 26 venues across the state. Programs were advertised through a printed Events Brochure, on the web site, and through coverage in newspapers and magazines. Activities included tours, artifact identifications, slide-talks, and hands-on fun. Highlights of this year’s event included an “Archeology in Action” workshop at Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville; excavations at Dooley’s Ferry in Hempstead County; and an exhibit on “Early Amateur Archeologists in Clark County” at Henderson State University Library.

Participating venues for Archeology Month 2012 included:

State & National Parks:
Davidsonville Historic State Park, Hampson Archeological Museum State Park, Historic Washington State Park, Hobbs State Park, Lake Dardanelle State Park, Parkin Archeological State Park, Petit Jean State Park, and Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park.

Museums:
Arkansas State University Museum, Delta Gateway Museum, Old Independence Regional Museum, Old State House Museum, Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Historical Museum, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, and the University of Arkansas Museum Collections.

Libraries, Colleges, & Others:
Arkansas Archeological Survey, Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas School for Math & Sciences, Center for Nonprofits, Garland County Library, Henderson State University Library, Southern Arkansas University, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, University of Arkansas-Monticello, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute.

Supporters:
Special thanks go the Archeological & Environmental Consultants L.L.C. in Austin, Texas, as well as the Bill Jordan Public Education Fund, for their donations in support of Archeology Month 2012.

Poster:
The Archeology Month poster was sponsored by the Arkansas Archeological Society. It featured Arkansas Archeological Society member David Mark Alvirez recording an excavated structure at Historic Washington State Park. The photograph was taken by Dawn Novak. The graphic designer was  Melissa Smith of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The poster was included in the national display of Archeology Month posters at the 2012 Society for American Archaeology meeting in Memphis, Tennessee.

Many thanks are given to Ben Swadley, the Society’s Archeology Month Chair, and to all those who provided programs, donations, volunteer hours or participated in some way to make Archeology Month 2012 a success.

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In years to come, formal themes for Archeology Month will not be designated, unless there is a particular anniversary event deemed suitable for a tie-in. Archeology Month will just “Celebrate Archeology” every year. Check back later in the year for new information.

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