BY LINDA BENTLEY | FEBRUARY 20, 2013
Cave Creek Museum celebrates ‘Archaeology Month’ in March
4th Annual Spur Cross Archaeology Expo March 2
CAVE CREEK – March is “Archaeology Month” and what better way to celebrate than to attend one of the many educational programs and special events hosted by Cave Creek Museum? Located at 6140 Skyline Dr., the Museum features an extensive collection of prehistoric and historic artifacts that describe the lives of Native Americans, miners, ranchers and pioneers. The March schedule follows:
4th Annual Spur Cross Archaeology Expo
Sponsored by The Desert Foothills Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society and The Cave Creek Museum
When: Saturday, March 2, 2013, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
What: Learn about the archaeology of the Cave Creek/Spur Cross area through hikes, booths, goldpanning, guest speakers and live demonstrations!
FIRST MESA GUIDED HIKE: 10 a.m. hike with archaeologist Mark Hackbarth to prehistoric Hohokam dwellings on First Mesa. Learn about this prehistoric culture and as you walk through the Sonoran Desert on this moderate 2.5 mile hike. There is some uphill walking. Please allow a minimum of three hours for this event.
There will be other hikes of varying difficulty scheduled throughout the day to various archaeological sites in the Spur Cross area. Tonto National Forest archaeologist, Scott Wood will be also be speaking. There will be booths from the Desert Foothills Chapter, the Cave Creek Museum, Wild at Heart, Desert Awareness Group, and Animal Health Services. Live demonstrations include Glen Dotson with pottery making, Richard Bachman with flintmaking, and outdoor survival expert Al Cornel using four prehistoric methods to produce fire. Pan for gold throughout the day with the Cave Creek Museum Stamp Mill Team. There will be other children’s activities and crafts as well as the opportunity to view and hold prehistoric artifacts from the area.
Come help celebrate Arizona Archaeology Month! Please check the Arizona Archaeological Society website at www.azarchsoc.org to find out exact speaker and hiking times. Bring the whole family and have fun while learning about this beautiful area. See you there!*
“Make-It, Take-It” Egg Decorating Workshop
Saturday, March 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon
Create a scene in a hen egg. Set the scene for an Easter Bunny or a Wizard. Your imagination is your only limit! This program is for the kid in each of us. Choose the color of the egg, set the background and decorate the scene.
Special Archaeology children’s program
Sat., March 23 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Special Archaeology children’s program where participants will learn how to make their own clay coil and pinch pots. A special emphasis will be on the materials that Native Peoples used to create the pots and how they used them in their daily lives. Time will also be spent exploring the pottery in the Archaeology wing and students will learn what an archaeologist is and experience a “mock dig.”
Admission to March 16 and March 23 events is free, but reservations are requested. For information, call 480-488-2764, or visit www.cavecreekmuseum.org.
*From Cave Creek, turn North onto Spur Cross Road. Spur Cross Conservation Area is 4 1/2 miles north. Although the Expo is free, there is a $3/adult park entrance fee. Children under 16 and those with Maricopa County Park or Spur Cross passes are free.
