Campus joins in celebration with archeology promotion

     NE Campus will celebrate Texas Archeology Awareness month with communities across the state this week.
     On Saturday, Oct. 7, the second annual Metroplex Archeology Fair will be held on the NE Campus, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Located in the west parking lot behind the Student Center, the fair is sponsored by the Tarrant County Archeological Society, Dallas Archeology Society and the Texas Historical Commission.
     Free hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations for children and adults will be available at this public event. These activities include spear throwing with an atlaltl, using stone tools to grind corn, seeing one’s name in Egyptian hieroglyphs, painting a pictograph and entering an Indian tipi. In addition, participants can also witness basket weaving, pottery painting, stone and other artifact identification and demonstrations of the bow drill, pump drill and firestarter.
     “The purpose of the fair is to introduce our students and community to archeology with a focus on Texas, which is an archeological heritage,” Dr. Paula Vastine-Norman, NE director of student development services, said.
     “It’s meant to be entertaining, thought-providing, educational and to provide hands-on activities for all ages,” she said.
     Lunch will be sold by the authentic chuck wagon, with wagoneer Eddie Sandoval, who will provide hamburgers and hot dogs. Special entertainment will also be provided for the fair participants.
     Exhibits from the Texas Historical Commission, The Tarrant and Dallas Archeology Societies, Tarrant County Historical Commission, the Boy Scouts of America, Denton Historical Commission, a publications booth, a Mayan Culture display and the Dallas Museum of Natural History will be featured.
     Texas Archeology Awareness month recognizes the spirit and depth of the state’s archeological heritage, from the campsites of prehistoric hunters to ancient shipwrecks and Civil War sites. Activities and public forums provide an opportunity to discover past human cultures and learn about the historical significance of Texas archeological sites. Events throughout Texas are listed on the Texas Historical Commission website at www.thc.state.tx.us.
     The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.
     “We encourage everyone to be there and bring your family and friends,” Dr. Vastine said.
     “This will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity to help preserve the past through educating the public as well as having a lot of fun,” she said.
     For more information, contact NE student activities at 817-515-6644.