The High Point Museum will host Dig Up the Past, an archaeology program on Saturday, September 23, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the museum, located at 1859 E. Lexington Ave.
The program will be split into a morning and afternoon program. Kids ages 10 and under are invited to participate between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Kids ages 11-15 are invited to participate between 2 p.m.– 4 p.m.
In the first program, kids 10 and under will get to learn the basics of archaeology and the importance of artifacts. The first activity will show participants how to carefully excavate artifacts by using dowels to remove chocolate chunks from cookies. The second activity will focus on the reconstruction of artifacts by reassembling broken pottery pieces.
In the second program, participants 11-15 years of age will get to learn the basics of archaeology and the importance of documentation when excavating artifacts. They will first learn the archaeological process of excavation, using chocolate chunk cookies as a tool to learn how to map an archaeological site and document artifact discovery on their map. They will then get to use these new skills to uncover clues in a scavenger hunt around the museum and Historical Park to discover an important artifact in High Point history.
“This is going to be a really fun, hands-on program,” said Museum Curator of Education Sara Blanchett. “Archaeologist, Hannah Smith, will walk each group of kids through the process of excavation, artifact discovery, and the importance of learning about the past through these objects. We will have a small part in cultivating the future of archaeology!”
Dig Up the Past has been planned in conjunction with the current exhibition in the museum’s lecture gallery, “N.C. Digs.” This exhibition is from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. It features five types of archaeological sites in North Carolina, Native American, battlefield, plantation, trash pit, and industrial, along with a tool and technique important to excavating or analyzing each.
This program and exhibition are free and open to the public.
The High Point Museum, a division of the High Point Public Library, shares Greater High Point’s history, provides perspective for current issues, and strengthens the sense of community.
The City of High Point aims to serve as the catalyst for bringing together the community’s human, economic, and civic resources for the purpose of creating the single most livable, safe, and prosperous community in America. For more information on the City, visit www.highpointnc.gov.
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