Oct. 1, 2019
MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville will feature special displays and activities in celebration of the 27th Annual Archaeology Day from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. The program coincides with West Virginia Archaeology Month, which is celebrated throughout October, and is free and open to the public.
The program features hands-on activities that include making clay pots with artist Betsy Cox, owner/operator of Echo Valley Pottery in Glen Dale, W.Va.; flintknapping demonstrations by Robert Walden of Poca, W.Va.; behind-the-scenes tours of the West Virginia Archaeological Research and Collections Management Facility; a museum treasure hunt run by the Greater Moundsville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; and archaeological films in the museum’s auditorium. Special displays will include books and objects relating to Native Americans by Marian Phillips of Moundsville, W.Va., and replicas of prehistoric tools by Robert and Jaynetta Walden. Angela N. Hood, project archaeologist with GAI Consultants, a firm in Pittsburgh, Pa., also will bring a display of some of her company’s recent projects in West Virginia and discuss her work.
Olivia Jones and Hank Lutton, curators at Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, will lead behind-the-scenes tours of the collection and research area. Several volunteers will be on hand doing tasks such as washing, sorting and labeling artifacts.
Lori and Andy Majorsky, members of the World Atlatl Association, will demonstrate using the atlatl to throw spears, known as darts among atlatl specialists. Lori is a four-time Women’s World Champion of this prehistoric skill. Visitors are invited to try their hand at throwing a dart with an atlatl. This activity will take place outdoors, weather permitting.
Archaeologist and author Darla Spencer, who recently published her second book, Woodland Mounds in West Virginia, will be available for a meet and greet and book signing, where copies of her book can be purchased. Also new this year is a show-and-tell table with John Boilegh of the Ohio Division of Mineral Resources, who will bring pelts and skulls of animals that are native to this region for visitors to examine. In addition, David Fuerst, president of the West Virginia Archeological Society, will be on hand to represent the Society, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, having been founded on Jan. 1, 1949. He will provide information regarding the Society’s activities, which include the annual meeting that will take place at Oglebay on Saturday, Oct. 12, and at Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex on Sunday, Oct. 13. Copies of the Society’s journals will be for sale.
Operated by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex features one of the largest conical burial mounds built by the Adena people between 250 - 150 B.C. and ranks as one of the largest earthen mortuary mounds anywhere in the world. Exhibits and displays in the Delf Norona Museum interpret what is known about the lives of these prehistoric people and the construction of the mound. The complex also houses the West Virginia Archaeological Research and Collections Management Facility.
Admission to Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex is free. The Delf Norona Museum, located at 801 Jefferson Avenue, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. Outdoor access closes at 4:30 p.m.
For more information about activities and programs at Grave Creek Mound, contact Andrea Keller, cultural program coordinator, at (304) 843-4128 or andrea.k.keller@wv.gov or visit www.facebook.com/gravecreekmound and www.twitter.com/gravecreekmound.
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