Archaeology Day April 2, 2011

Las Cruces—The Branigan Cultural Center is partnering with a dozen other local and national humanities agencies for its first annual Archaeology Day on April 2 from 10am to 2pm.

"This will be a dynamic event with lots of opportunities for families to learn about the diverse world of archaeology," said Andy Albertson, the Branigan's Curator of Education. "We have a packed program planned with excited hands-on activities and demonstrations offered by partners from all over the region."

Participants will be able to make their own arrowheads, pigment paint, rope, and weaving, as well as grind corn, throw atlatls (a prehistoric weapon), construct a coiled pot, start a fire using flint and steel, and learn about the importance of archaeology to unearthing the past.

The partners working with the Branigan to present Archaeology Day include the Bureau of Land Management, CARTA, the City of Las Cruces, Las Cruces Museum of Art, Las Cruces Museum of Natural History, Mesilla Valley Weavers Guild, the National Park Service / White Sands National Monument, NMSU Museum and the US Forest Service.

The Branigan Cultural Center is located at the north end of the Downtown Mall in Las Cruces at 501 N. Main Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about Archaeology Day or any other programs or exhibitions, contact the Branigan Cultural Center at (575) 541-2154 or visit www.las-cruces.org/museums.