Archaeology Day May 7th

Devil’s Lake State Park may be 100 years old but its human history goes back further than that. Shortly after the retreat of the glaciers, 9,000 years ago, Native Americans came to this area. Indications of their later activities can be found in the several effigy mounds found in the park, constructed by basketful after basketfuls of soil, between 700 and 1200 AD. To help park visitors understand and appreciate these mounds, and to celebrate Archaeology Month, area archaeologists are presenting ”Archaeology Day” at Devil’s Lake State Park Nature Center this Saturday, May 7th.

UW Baraboo/Sauk County archaeology instructor, George Christiansen, will be presenting a talk on the Effigy Mound builders of the Late Woodland Period at 10:00 at the Nature Center. Hour long

hikes led by Assistant Sate Archaeologist, Amy Roseborough and amateur archaeologist, Rob Nurre, will start from the Nature Center at 11:00 and 12:30 and take you to the mounds of the north shore. Throughout the day until 1:30pm, Bob Lowe, Ho Chunk tribal member and flint knapper will demonstrate flint knapping techniques at the Nature Center. Native American artifacts will be exhibited and a brochure describing the mounds will be available.

There is no charge for Archaeology Day but a state park vehicle admission sticker is required and can be purchased at the park. For more information contact Diane Pillsbury at: 608-356-8301 ext. 103.