The Kincaid Mounds State Historic Site will demonstrate the connection between ancient history and modern education during its annual Archaeology Field Day on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Visitors will get to see artifacts discovered at the Native American site and hear directly from experts about the Mississippian culture that once lived there. They’ll also learn about excavations conducted at the site each year by college students in the Southern Illinois University Summer Field School.
The event is free and open to anyone with an interest in history or archaeology. Mississippian artifacts will be on display from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Southern Illinois University experts such as Brian Butler and Paul Welch will present information on the Kincaid Mounds and the Mississippian Culture. Formal programs with take place at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., with an optional walking tour to one of the mounds after each session. Hiking shoes are recommended.
Bring your own Native American artifacts, and our experts will identify them and explain how they were made and used.
There will be restroom facilities but no refreshments.
The Kincaid Mounds are a series of earthen mounds built by the Mississippian culture, which occupied the site from about A.D. 1000 to A.D. 1400. The site lies near the Ohio River on the line between Massac County and Pope County
The site is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency with help from the Kincaid Mounds Support Organization.
From Interstate 24, take the Metropolis/Brookport Exit, travel east on US 45 towards Brookport. Before entering Brookport, turn left on Unionville Road and go 6.25 miles through Unionville to New Cut Road. At New Cut Road, turn right (south) and travel 3.6 miles to Kincaid Mounds Road. Turn left (east) onto Kincaid Mounds Road and go .6 mile to the observation platform. GPS location 37° 4’47.10″N 88°29’25.53″W.
More information can be found at www.kincaidmounds.com.