Dig into history at the Mississippi Archaeological Association’s Archaeology Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.

The Grand Village is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in Mississippi. A 1930 Mississippi Department of Archives & History excavation established the site, located on the Fatherland Plantation, as the same ceremonial mound center of the Natchez people so richly documented by French colonists in the early 18th century. Additional excavations in 1962 and 1972, led by Robert “Stu” Neitzel identified the house of the Great Sun and the temple mound that was the site of important ceremonies and activity along with additional features associated with the Natchez. This site and the Natchez people still fascinate archaeologists and anthropologists who continue to study the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.  What a fitting place to hold the annual archaeology expo.

Saturday will be a day full of activities and demonstrations for the entire family.  Archaeologists from the Mississippi Department of Archives & History, the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the University of Southern Mississippi will be on hand providing a variety of different exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on activities for both children and adults.

Bring your artifacts to the expo for identification and also learn how to properly handle, care for and curate those artifacts with instruction from curators from the National Park Service.

An exhibit on plantation life from the Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum will highlight recent archaeological excavations from a sugar plantation near Baton Rouge.

Archaeologists from the University of Mississippi  will demonstrate non-invasive investigative techniques utilizing equipment such as magnetometers to discover archaeological features.

Representatives of the Natchez Nation, including Principal Chief and Great Sun Hutke Fields, will be on hand playing stickball and performing traditional dances. Food vendors will be on site, and the museum store will be open. Come spend the day learning about our rich history and how archaeologists uncover the mysteries of the past.

For more information, contact me at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians at 601-446-6502 or by email at info@natchezgrandvillage.com.

Lance Harris is the director of the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.