National Archaeology Day 2012

On Saturday, October 20th, Historic City News readers are invited to attend when Sarah Miller, Director of the Northeast Region of the Florida Public Archaeology Network, and staff members of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve and Environmental Education Center, celebrate National Archaeology Day.

At 11:00 a.m. in the auditorium, Miller will discuss the basics of archaeology in a presentation entitled “Fantastic Archaeology: Florida Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries.”

She will focus on the misuse, and abuse, of Florida’s past — then discuss a few of Florida’s unsolved mysteries.

Though it would be illegal today, during the 1950’s, William Evenden and Fred Williams collected ceramic artifacts of native people that were discovered on the Guana Peninsula. In 2005, the collection was donated to the State of Florida; and, during Saturday’s events, the Research Reserve will unveil a new display containing the artifacts in the exhibit hall.

Your day of entertainment and education starts with a guided trail hike at 9:00 a.m. and more festivities at the Research Reserve and Environmental Education Center going on between 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

In addition to the guided trail hike highlighting our cultural history, the day’s activities will give you an opportunity to learn about archaeology in Northeast Florida and then test your archaeological skills during the “Archaeolympics”.