Archaeology is for All Ages

by Betsy Rutz

Monarch shipwreck, near Isle Royale. Image: MRHC

When you hear the word archaeology, what do you think of?  Indiana Jones comes to mind, active adventures leading to amazing discoveries.  This fictional portrayal of archaeology may not be the every day example, yet at least it is in the correct branch of science. Archaeology does not mean the study of dinosaurs. That is paleontology.  It does not mean the design of buildings. That is architecture. Archaeology is: finding out about past human behavior by studying the material evidence left behind. Incredible evidence and artifacts left behind have recorded human history. We have learned so much from archaeology and stand to learn fathoms more. Right here in Marquette County and the U.P. we have outstanding artifacts being found to this day. In conjunction with the internationally celebrated day, we at the History Center will be holding an all-ages fair on Saturday, October 19th for International Archaeology Day! From a Roman banquet in Honolulu to a similar fair much like ours in Cambodia, folks all around the world will be recognizing the human stories left behind by small and large material evidence.

At our fair here in Marquette, we will have an array of booths in our gathering hall. Displays and activities will fill these booths, run by volunteer experts and general history fans alike.  Attendees will be able to see local artifacts both old and “new” and hear the stories behind them, learn about local sites and identifying, play games and challenge puzzles, make their own pictograph, win prizes, enjoy the extensive museum galleries and even take a short trip to a local “site” to learn more. 

Please join us on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 12:00pm-3:00pm at the Marquette Regional History Center.  Fair included with the cost of admission.  

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