PHOENIX – March has been designated as Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness month since 1983. The Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission is a part of the Arizona State Parks system.
Arcaeology awareness was started in 1983 by the State Historic Preservation Office and an ad hoc Archaeology Advisory Group for the Governor. This group morphed into the Arizona Archaeology Advisory Commission. The duties of the Commission are specified in Arizona Revised Statue. The commission will end July 1, 2017.
March was designated Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month and this statewide celebration has grown into a major public education effort involving over 60 different federal, state, municipal, tribal and private organizations. Proclaimed by the Governor each year, this celebration annually features over 100 events including prehistoric site tours, exhibits, open houses, lectures, demonstrations and other activities throughout Arizona.
Starting in 1989, an annual Archaeology Expo was added to the Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month events. The Archaeology Expo is a pivotal event in the month-long celebration of AAAM and provides an opportunity for organizations involved in archaeology to provide exhibits, demonstrations of prehistoric crafts and archaeological techniques, and hands-on activities for both children and adults. Other activities at the Expo include: guided site tours, Native American arts and crafts, demonstrations, and living history re-enactments.
These activities give visitors new insights into Arizona’s many prehistoric and historic cultures. This successful public education event reaches out to thousands of people each year in an effort to instill a stewardship ethic toward our state’s archaeological and historical resources. The annual Archaeology Expo is held in a different region of the state to benefit people throughout Arizona.
A free listing of events is available by contacting Arizona State Parks at (602) 542-4174. Events available in your area are listed on the Arizona State Parks web site.