Throughout the month of March, the Flagstaff Area Monuments has planned several activities in honor of “Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month.”
“Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month” was created by the State Historical Preservation Office and the Governor’s Ad Hoc Archeology Advisory Group (now the Governor’s Archeology Advisory Commission) to inform the public about archeology in the state of Arizona.
In the Flagstaff Area Monuments alone, over 3000 archeological sites have been recorded to date. Some of the artifacts found in the park are over a thousand years old. Through a combination of archeological information and the oral traditions of present-day tribes, we are able to help park visitors learn more about how the early people lived and how their descendants continue many of the traditions and life-ways today.
The following are activities planned for the month of March:
Wupatki National Monument:
MARCH 19 & 20: (10 am – 4 pm) Cultural Demonstrations at Wupatki Visitor Center: Learn about and see art work by native artisans. With ties to traditional designs and skills see how these artists continue to add to the long history of the local tribes. Regular entrance fees apply. For more information contact Wupatki Visitor Center (928) 679-2365.
MARCH 16 & 18: (1 – 4 pm) Junior Archaeologist Day: Sponsored by the NPS and the US Forest Service. Spend time with NPS and USFS archaeologists and learn about archaeology through fun, hands-on activities. Recommended for children ages 8-12. Space is limited; reservations are required. Bring water, sunscreen, hat, snacks and sturdy shoes. Regular entrance fees apply. For more information and reservations contact Wupaki Visitor Center (928) 679-2365.
MARCH 29: (1 – 3 pm) Wupatki Backcountry Discovery Hikes: Hike with an Archaeologist. Explore and learn more about the people who called Wupatki, “home’. Reservations are required, space limited. Meet at the Wupatki Visitor Center. Regular entrance fees apply. Hike is 2-3 miles long; bring water, hat, snacks, sunscreen and hiking boots. For more information and reservations contact Wupaki Visitor Center (928) 679-2365.
Walnut Canyon National Monument:
MARCH 14 & 26: (10 – 11 am) Family Activity: “What is Archaeology?” Take a walk with a Park Ranger and learn more about this fascinating work as you learn what archaeologists have learned at Walnut Canyon. Recommended for families with children, in grades K – 3. Bring water, hat, snacks, sunscreen and walking shoes. Reservations required. Regular entrance fees apply. For more information and reservations call the Walnut Canyon Visitor Center (928) 526-3367.
MARCH 15: (10 am – 2 pm) Demonstrations at Walnut Canyon Visitor Center: Ground Stone and Pottery Making with an Archaeologist. Regular entrance fees apply. For more information call the Walnut Canyon Visitor Center (928) 526-3367.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument:
MARCH 17: (10 am – 2 pm) Demonstrations at Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center: Ground Stone and Pottery with an Archaeologist. Regular entrance fees apply. For more information call the Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center (928) 526-0502.
March 26 & 27, 2011 (10 am – 4 pm) Cultural Demonstrations at Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center: Learn about and see art work by native artisans. With ties to traditional designs and skills see how these artists continue to add to the long history of the local tribes. Regular entrance fees apply. For more information call the Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor Center (928) 526-0502.
For the entire month of March 2011, the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is coordinating activities throughout the state. Visit the Arizona State Park website page for Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month events throughout the state at HYPERLINK “http://azstateparks.com/find/arch_calendar.html”http://azstateparks.com/find/arch_calendar.html
The staff at the Flagstaff Area National Monuments would like to encourage the parks friends and neighbors to take advantage of the activities honoring Archeology Month. Walnut Canyon National Monument is located 7.5 miles east of downtown Flagstaff via I-40 and can be reached at (928)526-3367 and on the web at HYPERLINK “\\\\inpflagntsvr1\\public\\Cecilia\\www.nps.gov\\waca”www.nps.gov/waca. Wupatki National Monument is 37 miles north of Flagstaff via Hwy 89, and can be reached at (928)679-2365 and HYPERLINK “http://www.nps.gov/wupa.” www.nps.gov/wupa. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is located 12 miles north of Flagstaff via Hwy 89 and can be reached at (928)526-0502 and HYPERLINK “http://www.nps.gov/sucr” www.nps.gov/sucr. All three are open daily, except December 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance fee is $5.00/person for visitors 16 and over. America the Beautiful Passes are accepted.
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