Pueblo Grande Museum Event Lets Visitors Try Hand at the Past

Phoenixs Pueblo Grande Museum is offering a hands-on family experience that opens a window into Phoenixs prehistoric past at Ancient Technology Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 9. Visitors can try their hand at throwing an atlatl (spear), creating their own petroglyph, weaving their own cloth, and taste roasted agave slow-cooked the traditional way in an earthen oven. Artists will be on hand to demonstrate how the Hohokam people created various technologies such as flintknapping (making of arrowheads), pottery, shell and stone jewelry, weaving and more. New this year, visitors can learn about historic technologies from the Pioneer Days of Arizona such as cotton spinning, weaving, and cooking. Admission to the event and museum, located at 4619 E. Washington St., are free for the day. Ancient Technology Day is also an official Arizona Scitech Festival event and thanks to a grant from Phoenix Suns Charities, the 2013 event will include live entertainment spanning the history of Arizona by The Gila River Basket Dancers, Radio Healer, and the Arizona Territorial Brass Band. Visitors also can learn more about the relationship of prehistoric and historic archaeology of downtown Phoenix at a behind the scenes tour and archaeology presentation by Museum Curator Holly Young and City of Phoenix Archaeologist Laurene Montero. In addition to the demonstrators, performances, and presentations children can enjoy free craft activities and games. Families also can learn about native desert foods from the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Communitys traditional kitchen and purchase traditional fry bread. This event was made possible with help from the Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary, Phoenix Suns Charities, and the Central Arizona Chapter of the American Institute of Archaeology. For more information about this event visit pueblogrande.com or call the Museum at 602-495-0901.