Archaeopalooza is a great event to teach young people about the science of archaeology and the Native Americans who live in the Southern California deserts. It is also a tribute to the Desert Institute’s rock art instructor, Daniel McCarthy, who passed away in 2021.
Joan Schneider will talk about “The Life and Legacy of Elizabeth Warder Crozier Campbell, an archeologist who, with her husband Bill Campbell, settled in 29 Palms. Bruce Bridenbecker will talk about the “Amboy Crater: Geology, Ecology, and Historical Perspectives” Hayley Elsken, associate state archaeologist, will present “What’s in a Circle? Exploring Rock Circles in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park,” and MacKenzie Hitchcock, an archaeologist at Death Valley National Park, will bring Death Valley to Life; The Archaeology of the Hottest Place on Earth.”
In addition, there will be 20 community outreach tables in the adjoining gymnasium.
Programs for children include an archaeology “dig box,” archaeological artifacts for “show-and-tell,” a variety of games provided by rangers from Joshua Tree National Park, and a pinch pot demonstration (a clay pot-making method) by Tony Soares.
Archaeopalooza will be held on October 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Copper Mountain College, 6162 Rotary Way, Joshua Tree.
