Arkansas: Archeology Day at Petit Jean State Park is March 17

From Russellville Today: Archeology Day at Petit Jean State Park is March 17 Arkansas Archeology Month 2012, cosponsored by the Arkansas Archeological Survey and the Arkansas Archeological Society, is celebrated in March with a variety of programs, exhibits, activities and tours at parks, museums, universities, libraries and elsewhere. This year’s theme is Archeology of Communities.

The rich archeological heritage of Petit Jean State Park and the surrounding area will be explored on Saturday, March 17 with a variety of free programs for park visitors. In the morning, tours of the park’s primary archeology site, Rock House Cave, will be offered, which will include the viewing of ancient Native American rock art. Afternoon programming will include “Art and Community at Carden Bottoms”, a 2:00 pm presentation in the Rec Hall by Leslie Walker of the University of Arkansas Anthropology Department. Walker will discuss recent research near Petit Jean Mountain in which houses and trash pits have been unearthed, with resulting artifacts that can help us explore the role that art plays in everyday life, community, spirituality and social interaction. Visitors will also be given a rare opportunity to view Native American stone tool artifacts from Petit Jean State Park’s collection.

The event’s programs will conclude in the Rec Hall at 7:00 pm with “The Rock Art of Petit Jean State Park”, a presentation by Park Interpreter B.T. Jones. This talk will explore the possible history and meanings of the Native American art which adorns the cliffs and bluff shelters of the park.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the park at petitjean@arkansas.com or by phone at (501) 727-5441.