Special Events

National Archaeology Day

October 22, 2011 was National Archaeology Day, a day when archaeological discovery was celebrated across North America. Many of AIA's 108 local societies, including the Milwaukee Society, presented special activities emphasizing both the excitement of and the knowledge generated by archaeology. As our contribution, the AIA-Milwaukee Society and UWM's Archaeological Research Laboratory hosted an Open House at the Archaeology Lab.

Bettinsa Arnold showeing a visiting a publication

Many other archaeological organizations, museums, and archaeological sites joined with AIA in celebrating this day. Even Congress joined in the fun by issuing a special proclamation declaring October 22 National Archaeology Day (pdf).

For more on National Archaeology Day see: www.archaeological.org/news and to read about the various local society activities, and see some fun pictures including Milwaukee's click on: www.archaeological.org/NAD.

Seth Schneider demonstrating the XRF machine

Third Annual Milwaukee Archaeology Fair

Friday, March 9 and Saturday, 10, 2012, are the dates for the third annual Milwaukee Archaeology Fair. The Fair will be held at the Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) and is co-sponsored by the AIA-Milwaukee Society and the Milwaukee Public Museum. It is free with regular museum admission.

As in the past two fairs there will be a variety of fun and educational hands-on activities and presentations of all things archaeological, from mummies to mammoth bones; from Greek and Roman soldiers to Native Americans in Wisconsin; to exploring the past in downtown Milwaukee. Talk to real archaeologists and find out where and how they work and how they study their finds after the digging is finished. The Fair is a fun, family-friendly, educational event, suitable for children in grades 4 and up.

More information coming soon-watch this space! To plan a field trip to the Fair click on the Milwaukee Public Museum's Archaeology Fair information page under Education: www.mpm.edu/education/special/archaeology-fair.

Special Exhibit: Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt

The Milwaukee Public Museum is hosting the special exhibit "Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt." This exhibit runs from October 14, 2011 through April 2012 and will be open on the days of the Archaeology Fair. The Cleopatra exhibit requires special ticketing. For more information on the Cleopatra show, ticket prices, and group arrangements please see: www.mpm.edu/cleopatra. Milwaukee is the last stop in the U.S. for this show.

This is a great opportunity to see this splendid show and to learn more about archaeology world-wide at the Milwaukee Archaeology Fair at the same time. Come and make a day of it!