Digging into Utah: Get your fill of archaeological history
State History staff member Lynette Lloyd helps a child decorate a spear head as part of activities for Utah Archaelology Week hosted by the Utah State History Department. Ph: State of Utah
Children learn how to grind corn into flour using ancient methods, hosted by the Utah State History Department. Ph: State of Utah
Children learn how to grind corn into flour using ancient methods, hosted by the Utah State History Department. Ph: State of Utah
It’s Archaeology Week in Utah.
So if you’re interested in what ancient peoples from this neck of the woods did for hunting, food preparation and other lifestyle activities, now is the time to dive into Utah history.
On Saturday, head down to the Rio Grand Depot, where the Utah State History Department is located. There, a fair of sorts will be set up with displays, workshops, crafts demonstrations and activities free and open to the public.
Among the activities are atlatl and dart throwing. Atlatl is a Native American weapon used to throw spears while hunting. Children can try to grind corn by hand. Navajo tacos will be available for sale.
The open house goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rio Grande Depot, 300 S. Rio Grande St. (455 West) in Salt Lake City.
If you’re looking for a little more of a getaway this weekend, head down to Fremont Indian State Park and Museum, where over the next couple of weekends history will come alive with the Mountain Man Rendezvous and Flintknapping “Knap-In.”
If you’ve never been to a rendezvous, this is a sight to be seen, a weekend paying homage to the frontiersmen of the Wild West. This one is organized by the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and features the standard activities of a rendezvous: mountain man encampment, food and crafts vendors, archery and black powder shoots, hawk and knife throws, atlatl competition, and children’s activities.
The “Knap-In” refers to craftsmen who make chipped stone tools. Flintknapping will be demonstrated there, too.
Also part of the weekend, local authors will do a book signing. The authors penned books on archaeological topics, such as ancient Native America, pioneer women and the natural surroundings of the Utah landscape.
Fremont Indian State Park and Museum is located in Sevier, just north of Beaver.
If that is a bit too far to travel, head over to Price, an easy day trip, for a look at an art show, and Family Activity Day at the Prehistoric Museum on May 12.
The Prehistoric Museum in Price will have bone and archaeology lab demonstrations, displays of teepees, rock art and corn grinding, as well as lots of historical information.
In Moab, a tour is offered on Saturday surveying nearby petroglyphs and pictographs. The tour, “Bridges and Barriers Rock Art Tour: Connecting Moab’s Ancient Past to the Present,” explores iconic cultural history and the differences between Anasazi and Fremont cultures. The tour is by van, with short walks to sites, and includes lunch.
IF YOU GO:
Utah Archaeology Week Open House
Where: Utah State History Department — Rio Grand Depot, 300 S. Rio Grande St. (455 West), Salt Lake City
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Mountain Man Rendezvous and Flintknapping “Knap-In”
Where: Fremont Indian State Park and Museum, 3820 W. Clear Creek Canyon Road, Sevier
When: Saturday and Sunday
Cost: Day use fee, $3 per person or $6 per vehicle up to eight people. Utah seniors 62-plus pay half price. Free admission for holders of Utah State Parks annual pass.
Etc.: Atlatl competition at 9 a.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.); local authors book signing at 1 p.m. Authors include Amy Jarecki of “Koicto,” G.M. Jarrard, “Petroglyph,” Deborah J. Clark, “Capital Reef Wildflowers,” and Judy Busk, “The Sum of Our Past — Revisiting Pioneer Women.”
Info: Call (435) 527-4631 or visit www.stateparks.utah.gov/parks/fremont
Family Activity Day
Where: Prehistoric Museum, U.S. Eastern — 155 E. Main St., Price
When: May 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Etc. Dinosaur Art Contest entries will be on display beginning Saturday, and a lecture, “Scratching the Surface: Uncovering Buried Cultural Resources in Nine Mile Canyon” is Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Info: (435) 613-5000, www.ceu.edu/museum/
Bridges and Barriers Rock Art Tour
Where: Starts and ends at Moab Information Center, Main and Center streets, Moab
When: Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Register: Contact CFI to enroll at (800) 860-5262 or email info@cfimoab.org
Cost: $60 per person or $54 for CFI members; includes lunch