Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex will present its annual Archaeology Weekend program entitled American Indian Skills and Games from the Past on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 15, from 1 - 3 p.m. The program is timed to coincide with West Virginia Archaeology Month and is free and open to the public.
On Saturday, visitors can play American Indian Games including “Ring and Pin” at 10 a.m., a horseshoe game at 11 a.m., foot racing, at 1 p.m., and a soccor-style football game at 2 p.m., with Joe Candillo, cultural programming coordinator for Grave Creek Mound. Andrea Keller, survey archaeologist for the State Historic Preservation Office of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will conduct hands-on pottery demonstrations where participants can make pinch pots or small bowls; Bob Walden of Poca will demonstrate atlatl throwing and flint knapping; and Scott Speedy, curator at the Archaeology Complex, will present a multi-media archaeological program throughout the day.
Sunday activities include American Indian cordage or rope-making from 1 - 2 p.m., and hide painting with natural pigments from 2 - 3 p.m., with Candillo, and a repeat of the atlatl throwing and flint knapping with Walden; pottery demonstration with Keller; and the multimedia archaeological program with Speedy from 1 - 3 p.m.
For more information about Archaeology Weekend, contact Susan Yoho, site manager for the facility, at (304) 843-4128.
Operated by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex features one of the largest and most famous burial mounds built by the prehistoric Adena people. A massive undertaking, construction of the mound took place in successive stages from about 250-150 B.C., and required the movement of more than 60,000 tons of earth. Exhibits and displays in the complex’s museum interpret what is known about the lives of these prehistoric people and the construction of the mound. The Archaeology Complex is located at 801 Jefferson Ave., in Moundsville. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. Visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information about programs of the Division. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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Ginny Painter
Director of Public Information
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25305-0300
Phone (304) 558-0220
Fax (304) 558-2779
ginny.painter@wvculture.org