Popular hands-on activities include:

• Archaic Hunting Skills - Practice hitting a deer target using spears and an atlatl (spear thrower) like those used in Michigan forests thousands of years ago.
• “Break into History” Digital Game - Uncover clues, solve puzzles, and learn more about archaeology in the process. You can play the game on your own device or one of ours.
• Pinch Pots - Make and decorate your very own pottery using centuries-old techniques.
• Mock Archaeological Dig - Look for pieces of the past and learn how archaeologists document sites.
• Re-Piecing the Past - In this play laboratory, participants will learn how and why archaeologists refit broken artifacts. Design, “break,” then try to re-assemble your paper ceramic vessel by using the shapes of the pieces and the designs as clues.

At 1 p.m., stop by the auditorium to hear and see an illustrated presentation on the short life and violent death of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, the largest ship ever lost on the Great Lakes. Chris Winters with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society will share his life-long fascination with the ship, which sunk in Lake Superior in 1975.

NEW for 2018! We’re hosting an “Archaeology Roadshow!” Do you have an artifact that you want to know more about? What is it? How old is it? Why is it important? Experts in archaeology, geology, and paleontology will be on hand to assess your finds and teach you how to report sites. If it can fit in a shoe box, bring it in!

Almost 50 archaeologists working on more than 20 projects across Michigan will be stationed throughout the museum, where they will tell you about their research, show you some of the artifacts they have found and answer your questions. This year, the projects include:

• Archaeology of German POW Camps in Michigan's Upper Peninsula by Michigan Technological University
• Digital Preservation of the Sanilac Petroglyphs by the Michigan Department of Transportation
• Michilimackinac Archaeology by Mackinac State Historic Parks
• Shipwrecks and Airplanes by Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Unearthing Detroit by Wayne State University Anthropology Department

Archaeology Day is sponsored by the Michigan History Center, the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

The Michigan History Center fosters curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan’s stories. Our 12 museums and historic sites across the state provide family-friendly places where people of all ages can have fun actively learning about their heritage and the history of Michigan seven days a week through exhibits, special events and diverse programming. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mhc.