MCCD to Host Archaeological Awareness Event

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — The McHenry County Conservation District will host an archeological awareness event on Sunday, Sept. 15, from noon to 4 p.m. at Powers-Walker House Historic Landmark in Glacial Park at Rt. 31 and Harts Rd. in Ringwood. Attendees can use a stone grinder, flintknapper, and see other demonstrations of prehistoric skills at McHenry County Conservation District’s Archeological Awareness, on Sunday, Sept. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. at Powers-Walker House Historic Landmark in Glacial Park at Rt. 31 and Harts Rd. in Ringwood, according to a news release from the conservation district.

Archaeologists will be on hand to describe how these prehistoric technologies are discovered and interpreted. The event will feature a 120-foot Archaeology Timeline rope of the past 12,000 years in McHenry County with each foot of rope representing 100 years.

Signs placed along the rope path describe those who lived in McHenry County at that time period. This type of archaeology timeline helps the public, especially children, conceptualize just what 12,000 years means and how long people have inhabited Northern Illinois, according to the news release.

Examples of artifacts will also be on display including some of those found at the Powers-Walker house and young childre can dig for buried treasures in the Explorer’s sandbox. Additionally, a cavalryman will explain the archaeology of Little Big Horn and bring in your own arrowheads (points) or prehistoric tools for identification by professional archaeologists, according to a news release.

The program is free and registration is not required for this drop-in event. More information is available at the Prairieview Education Center at (815) 479-5779 or www.MCCDistrict.org.