October 1, 2019
This year Can You Dig It? McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture’s annual Archaeology and Fossil Day event shows how to turn collaboration into celebration. Can You Dig It? takes place on October 6 from 1:30- 5:00 p.m.
This annual program highlights the work of UT archaeologists, paleontologists, geologists, and graduate students through interactive displays and activities for children. Visitors are encouraged to bring their personal fossil, rock, and archaeological artifacts to be identified by professional scientists. This year there are six UT Departments and three organizations chipping in to educate our community.
Dr. Erin Darby, professor in the Department of Religious Studies helped launch this celebration in 2012. She shares “Can You Dig It is the biggest, single, public outreach event for the East Tennessee Society of the Archaeological Institute of America. The event introduces young students to archaeology from all over the world. The McClung Museum has always played an integral role in CYDI, making the event a sustainable and successful part of its yearly outreach and education program.”
In addition to flint knapping demonstrations and pottery making activities, this year visitors will get to observe archaeologists at work. Howard Cyr, Core Manager researcher at the McClung Museum, will lead a ground penetrating radar demonstration on the grounds. He shares “I’ve been participating in the CYDI for the past 7 years. This is the highlight of my year! It’s terrific to share what I do with so many families from the area. The excitement these kids bring as they look at artifacts through microscopes or sift through the dirt is inspiring.”
International Archaeology Day is a project of the Archaeological Institute of America, an organization that sponsors activities about archaeological projects around the world. National Fossil Day was started by the National Park Service to encourage interest in the field of paleontology and the study of fossils.
UT’s McClung Museum, located at 1327 Circle Park Drive, is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1–5 p.m. Sundays. Parking passes are not needed on the weekends. Free public transportation to the museum is available Monday through Saturday on the Knoxville Trolley Orange Line.
CONTACTS:
Zack Plaster, zack@utk.edu, 865-974-6750
Leslie Chang Jantz, lcjantz@utk.edu, 865-974-3662
