San Diego Archaeological Center’s Experimental Archaeology Research Project - “Understanding Hunter-Gatherer Grinding Technology through Experimentation”

DATES:
Friday April 25 – 10:30 a.m.
Saturday April 26 - 10 a.m. and noon (2 separate sessions)
Saturday May 17 - 10 a.m.
Monday May 19 – to be determined

Each session requires 3-hour time commitment

LOCATION: San Diego Archaeological Center
16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027
760-291-0370

The San Diego Archaeological Center is pleased to invite the public to participate in an experimental archaeology project supported by the National Science Foundation. This project seeks to generate new data that will improve our understanding of how and why stone grinding tools used to process foods and other substances changed over the course of 9000 years of human history. A team of Native Americans and archaeologists will supervise participants as they grind acorns, seeds, and dry clay using replicated manos, metates, mortars, and pestles. By measuring and recording results and observations, participants will help determine efficiency and use-wear criteria that can be applied to archaeological grinding tool assemblages.

Participants will benefit from a collaborative multi-cultural, multi-generational learning experience that emphasizes the scientific process.

All equipment, materials, and supplies will be provided by the Center.

Participants (age 12 and above) may register individually or as a group for one or more sessions. Space is limited; sign up for a space now.

PRE-REGISTRATION: There is no charge to participate in this project but pre-registration is required.
Please contact Annemarie Cox, Programs Coordinator, via email at acox@sandiegoarchaeology.org to pre-register or for more information.

The San Diego Archaeological Center was founded in 1993 to provide an archaeological curation facility for the San Diego Region. The Center was the first nonprofit organization in the nation dedicated solely to curating and sharing archaeological collections with the public. The mission of The San Diego Archaeological Center is “to preserve archaeological collections and promote their educational, scientific and cultural use to benefit a diverse public.”