Arizona Archaeology & Heritage Awareness Month
Events all Month Long, all Throughout Arizona!
For those of you interested in Arizona Archaeology and Heritage the month of March is the perfect time for you to visit our fine state. There will be events taking place all over the state during Arizona Archaeology & Heritage Awareness Month, at Arizona State Parks, National Monuments, Historical sites and Arizona Museums.
The kick of event for this celebration is the Arizona Archaeology &
Heritage Expo (An Official AZ Centennial Event) taking place in Phoenix, Arizona on the lawns in front of the Senate and House buildings at the Arizona State Capitol. This expo is free and open to the public. This event will offers you new insights into Arizona’s many prehistoric, historic, and contemporary cultures, and will help instill a sense of stewardship for our state’s fragile and nonrenewable heritage resources. Know that is a great way to kick off such an important event!
You can find a full listing of events taking place during Arizona Archaeology & Heritage Awareness Month by clicking here. Below you will find some highlighted events taking place in the Sedona area including Flagstaff, Camp Verde and the Grand Canyon but for a full listing for these areas please click here. Events and times could change so please click on the site link for each event.
Camp Verde Area
Montezuma Castle National Monument, Montezuma Well, and Tuzigoot National Monument
Learn about the Sinagua, a Native American culture that inhabited the Verde Valley between the years 1100-1425. Programs include interpretive talks, guided hikes, and demonstrations, sponsored by the NPS. Please call for times and locations.contact: Case Griffing 928. 567.3322, ext 230.
Verde Valley Archaeology Fair
“Learn about archaeology through exhibits, demonstrations and lectures”
March 24th & 25th, 2012
The Verde Valley Archaeology Fair is a new event with its inauguration during Arizona Archaeology Awareness Month in March 2012. The Fair features exhibits, demonstrations, a “archaeology for kids” area, and an International Archaeology Film Festival featuring archaeology documentaries from Germany, France, Brazil, Latvia, Australia and the United States. The Fair will include an American Indian Art Show.
V Bar V Heritage Site
V Bar V Archaeology Discovery Days
March 24th & 25th, 2012
Learn about ancient Indian cultures of the Southwest by watching demonstrations of, and getting hands-on experience with, ancient technologies, including making fire by friction, weaving yucca fiber sandals, firing pottery, throwing with atlatls, and flint-knapping. Taste traditional foods including piki bread, parched corn, acorn stew, and others. Enjoy watching the Yavapai Apache Bird Dancers and Gourd Singers perform. See over 1,000 beautiful petroglyphs. $5.00 Red Rock Pass or equivalent entrance fee required per vehicle.
Fort Verde State Historic Park
- Workshop: How to Make Adobe Bricks
March 3rd, 17th & 31st (11:00 am & 3:00 pm)
Bring your family to Fort Verde to learn how to make adobe bricks and tour through the four remaining historic adobe buildings, fully furnished with period artifacts.
- Living History Presentations & Guided Tours

March 10th & 24th,2012 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm)
Take a stroll along Officer’s Row with a docent as they lead guided tours through the historic homes! Living history presentations will be available.
- Open House: George Hance House
March 10th, 2012 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm)
George W. Hance arrived in the Verde Valley in 1869, and was later appointed the first Postmaster of Camp Verde. Built in 1916, The George Hance House is located at Fort Verde State Historic Park. Information on the history of George Hance and the house will be available, along with an historical interpretation will (at 12:30 pm).
Flagstaff Area
Museum of Northern Arizona
Program: “Discovery 2nd Saturday at MNA: Archaeology”
March 10th, 2012
Explore past native cultures by examining artifacts and participating in hands-on demonstrations. Docent-led activities for children of all ages. Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Rd. Program included with regular Museum admission.
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
“Helluva Way to Treat a Soldier: The Desecration and Salvage of a Frontier Post Cemetery”
March 12, 2012
Join Archaeologist, Kimberly Spurr and learn about Fort Craig and its role in the Indian Wars of the late 19th century. Long after being decommissioned, the post cemetery was the target of illegal excavations that desecrated numerous historic military graves. Joint efforts by archaeologists and law enforcement resulted in recovery, identification, and reburial of all with full military honors.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Discovery Hike: Walk with an Archaeologist
March 13th, 2012 (10:00 am)
Take a hike with an archaeologist in the footsteps of people who lived at Walnut Canyon more than 700 years ago. Peer into their homes, cliff dwellings built deep within canyon walls. The his is 2-3 miles long; bring water, hat, and hiking boots.
Wupatki National Monument
Archaeology Day Camp
March 24th,2012 (10:00 am and 1:30 pm)
Spend time with archaeologists and learn about archaeology through fun, hands-on activities designed for children ages 8-12. Space is limited; reservations are required cal 928.679.2365.. Bring water, sunscreen, hat, snacks, and sturdy shoes.
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park
Archeology Day Celebration
March 24th, 2012 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Visitors will learn about the people who lived at Grand Canyon long ago and gain an understanding about the work of archaeologists and what can be learned from their research. Archeology Day will feature a series of special activities at Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center, including opportunities for visitors to try their hands at making clay pinch pots and split-twig figurines, making petroglyph scratch art, as well as “sifting for artifacts” then trying to identify what is found and hypothesizing what they might have been used for. The event will also include a special Evening Program speaker. All of the Park’s Archeology Day activities are offered free of charge, but Park entrance fees still apply.
Sedona
Red Rock State Park
Hands-on Demonstrations & Lectures
Throughout the month of March Red Rock State park will offer hands-on demonstrations & Lectures. Roy Juliano will teach early survival methods that include weaving sandals made from yucca fiber. Al Cornell will demonstrate prehistoric methods of fire starting, and Bob Sizemore will teach dart throwing with an atlatl, an earlier form of the bow and arrow; you can even participate in throwing this hunting weapon. For dates & times please visit Red Rock State Park or call 928. 282.6907