Sunday with a Scientist to celebrate Archaeology Month

The University of Nebraska State Museum’s September Sunday with a Scientist program will explore stone tools as part of Nebraska Archaeology Month. The event is 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine streets.

National Park Service Midwest Archeological Center archaeologist Erin Dempsey and archaeological technician Morgan Beyer; Nebraska State Historical Society highway archaeologists Nolan Johnson and Phil Geib, with preservation archivist Kelli Bacon; and University of Nebraska State Museum collections manager Trisha Patton will help visitors learn how archaeologists use artifacts to study the past.

Children and families will learn how prehistoric tools – hide scrapers, mortars and pestles, and atlatls (ancient weapons) – were made and how they were used. Visitors will dig for artifacts like an archaeologist to find prehistoric and historic items. Presenters will share how archaeologists use 3-D technology to photograph and study stone tools, and present a flintknapping demonstration.

Visitors are encouraged to bring an artifact for archaeologists to identify.

Sunday with a Scientist is a presentation series that highlights the work of scientists, while educating children and families on a variety of topics related to science and natural history. Presenters share scientific information in a fun, informal way through demonstrations, activities or by conducting science on site. The presentations typically take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month. For more information, including upcoming topics, click here.