MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville will feature special activities from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, as part of its annual Archaeology Day celebration. The program coincides with West Virginia Archaeology Month, which is celebrated throughout October. All activities are free and open to the public.
The day will include flint-knapping demonstrations and a display of tools by Robert and Jaynetta Walden of Poca, W.Va., behind-the-scenes tours of the West Virginia Archaeological Research and Collections Management Facility, spear throwing using the atlatl, prehistoric drill demonstrations and a lecture by archeologist Daniel Dillon at 3 p.m., titled “Dr. Robert C. Dunnell: Life, Legacy, and Archaeological Work.”
Visitors to the event can also sign up for a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s collection and research area guided by the facility’s curators. Several volunteers and interns will be on hand doing tasks such as washing artifacts.
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 visit www.facebook.com/gravecreekmound and www.twitter.com/gravecreekmound.