Discover the Past at Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center Festival

Sign up for the Dacula Patch newsletter!

-------

Submitted by Environmental and Heritage Center

When one thinks of archaeology, images of Indiana Jones traveling the world looking for ancient relics and treasures might come to mind.

There is much more to archaeology than what you see in the movies and the Environmental and Heritage Center (EHC) wants to give you the chance to explore this amazing field of discovery at its upcoming Archaeology Festival on Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

At the EHC Archaeology Festival, guests will examine Georgia’s timeline through a number of fun activities and games. They will learn how to throw an atlatl, experience Cherokee culture by creating a piece of pottery, participate in a mock dig and discover how archaeologists do their jobs and what can be learned about people from the materials left behind. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet a museum curator and learn how museums use artifacts to tell the story of people long ago.

Making a special appearance this year will be a temporary exhibit highlighting archaeology work in Gwinnett County. Highlighted sites include Fort Daniel, Soapstone Ridge, Woodward’s Mill and a prehistoric rock shelter. The Society for Georgia Archaeology’s ArchaeoBus will also be on campus, allowing guests to tour the mobile classroom, see its many displays and explore a number of activities that help interpret Georgia’s past.

“One of the core missions at the EHC is telling the story of the past. It is important for people to understand where they come from and how they got there,” said Jason West, EHC’s director or programming.

Program fees for the event are $5 for ages 13 and up and $3 for ages 3 to 12. Children 2 and under and EHC members are free. For more information about the EHC Archaeology Festival, visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.

(Photo: Visitors will have the chance to explore the Society for Georgia Archaeology’s ArchaeoBus during the EHC’s upcoming Archaeology Festival on May 16. Courtesy EHC)