March is Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. Over 100 prehistoric and historic site tours, exhibits, hikes, open houses, lectures, and hands-on demonstrations will help communicate efforts to preserve our fragile and non-renewable cultural resources. Throughout the state, museums, historical societies, Native American tribes, Hispanic groups, state/federal agencies, parks, and archaeology organizations will host events; many of which are planned in Arizona State Parks as part of their interpretive programs. Click here for a calendar of activities taking place throughout the month of March.The featured event is the Arizona Archaeology Expo at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park (pictured above) on March 3-4, 2006. Both days are open to the public and the event is free. The Expo provides a special opportunity to learn why it’s important to preserve archaeological sites and historic places; what archaeologists, historians, and tribal members do in their jobs; and about the prehistory and history of Arizona.
- Over 30 special displays and booths will allow visitors to participate as an archaeologist might in their research today, or make crafts that teach how prehistoric Native Americans and other early inhabitants survived in the Southwest, or play historic period games.
- Living history re-enactors, storytellers, Native American demonstrators and entertainers, and hands-on activities will help make the past come alive.
- Tours of prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in the Santa Cruz River Valley area will be featured; some of these sites are not normally open to the public.
- Free raffles featuring prizes of archaeology education-related items will take place.
- Local ethnic foods will be available for purchase.
