Sunday with a Scientist to celebrate Nebraska Archaeology Month

The University of Nebraska State Museum's September Sunday with a Scientist program for children and families will explore the state's archaeology with the National Park Service's Midwest Archeological Center and the Nebraska State Historical Society as part of Nebraska Archaeology Month. The event will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine Streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus.

Midwest Archeological Center archaeologist Erin Dempsey, archaeological technicians Erin Carr and Morgan Beyer, Nebraska State Historical Society highway archaeologist Nolan Johnson and preservation archaeologist Phil Geib will help visitors learn how archaeologists use technology to study the human past.

Hands-on activities will include working with GPS to document archaeological finds and GPR (ground penetrating radar) to understand how archaeologists know where and how to dig to find artifacts (weather permitting). Other activities will include making a hearth (fire pit) profile, dig boxes, an activity to learn how archaeologists use seriation (relative dating techniques) to determine the age of artifacts, and a flintknapping demonstration.

Sunday with a Scientist is a series of presentations that highlight the work of scientists, while educating children and families on a variety of topics related to science and natural history. Presenters share scientific information in a fun, informal way through demonstrations and activities or by conducting science on site. Sunday with a Scientist typically takes place on the third Sunday of each month.

For more information on the program, including upcoming topics, go to http://www.museum.unl.edu.