SEPTEMBER IS MISSOURI ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH

Over one hundred programs and exhibits describing Missouri's history during the past 12,000 years will be presented throughout the state in September as part of Missouri Archaeology Month. Programs will cover the entire span of human habitation in Missouri from man's first arrival until historic times. Its purpose is to let people know about our state's rich cultural history and the importance of preserving it. It will also be an excellent opportunity for schools to blend in the need to preserve Missouri's past with history lessons.

Scheduled events include programs and displays.representing all cultures from the earliest Missourians to historical times. For example, there will be programs in Springfield on the earliest inhabitants in North America, in Defiance on St. Charles County Archaeology, and in Kansas City on local Hopewell Culture.

There will be programs at Arrow Rock.describing evidence of an early African-American community, at Poplar Bluff describing the Nova Scotia Iron Works, and at Florissant describing the discovery of the Steamboat Arabia.. There will also be programs featuring archaeology of other lands such as Jordan and the Egyptian Antiquities display in Malden. Mastodon State Historic Site near Imperial will host "Archaeology Days" and there will be a Civil War re-enactment at St. Charles. The 1999 Archaeology Month poster noted below gives details about these programs and many more.

Full color posters with events listed on the back will be available free for the asking to individuals and groups such as civic clubs, schools, historical societies, outdoor groups, museums, government offices, banks and libraries. A Missouri Archaeological Society 28 minute video "On the Trail of the First Americans & Missouri's Native American Heritage" is also available from the Society. This video is suitable for individual use, libraries or in the classroom It may be ordered by sending $11 (cash or check) to the MAS at P.O. Box 958, Columbia, MO 65205-0958.

Those with access to Internet are also encouraged to look at the following .Web page for a fund of information on Missouri's past and the Missouri Archaeological Society - http:lAww.missouriedu/~moarch/

Additional volunteers are being sought around the state. If you would like to be an active participant in support of Archaeology Month,.as receiving posters, hosting an event or passing out materials, please contact Alan Banks, Committee Chairman for Archaeology Month, at any of the following -

4068 Avery Lane, Bridgeton, MO 63044Telephone: (314) 291-1165E-mail: ABanks7@aol.com

Missouri Archaeology Month is sponsored by the Missouri Archaeological Society, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Historic Preservation Program and the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior. DNR provided a grant for 60 percent of the cost ($12,000) and Archaeology Month volunteers provided the other 40% through volunteer time. The Missouri Association of Professional Archaeologists (MAPA) supports Archaeology Month.