Releases | New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

International Archaeology Day October 20th & Exhibit Opening “Birds: Spiritual Messengers of the Skies”

October 3rd, 2018

(Santa Fe, New Mexico) - The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology and the Office of Archaeological Studies is hosting International Archaeology Day,  October 20th, and simultaneously opening a new exhibit entitled, “Birds: Spiritual Messengers of the Skies.”  The exhibition will be on display through October 11, 2019.

On Saturday, October 20th, in celebration of International Archaeology Day, the Center for New Mexico Archaeology will open its doors to the public from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM to learn about New Mexico’s fascinating 12,000-year cultural heritage through hands-on activities and demonstrations. Come throw atlatls, shoot bows and arrows, make yucca fiber string, watch pottery firings, learn about coiled basketry, talk with archaeologists, and have a look at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture’s new exhibit: “Birds: Spiritual Messengers of the Skies”

This exhibit explores the importance of birds in Native American culture, as well as how birds are addressed or studied in the field of archaeology. In addition to this, the exhibit informs the visitor about birds in general and their great significance and amazing adaptability. “ Diana Sherman, MIAC Assistant Collections Manager and Exhibit Curator.

Tour the Center for New Mexico Archaeology, the storage facility for New Mexico’s archaeological collections, as well as working research laboratories for the Office of Archaeological Studies. Meet the archaeologists behind the excavations at the Palace of the Governors, the Civic Center, Railyard, Santa Fe County Courthouse, and many other locations throughout the state.

“The staff of Center for New Mexico Archaeology love to open their doors to the public every International Archaeology Day. Every year we offer numerous hands on activities for all ages that allow visitors to learn how certain artifacts were made to how archaeologists document their discoveries.” C. L. Kieffer Nail, MIAC Archaeology Collections Manager.

The Center for New Mexico Archaeology is located at 7 Old Cochiti Road, off of the Caja Del Rio exit of the 599.

 

About the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture: http://miaclab.org/

As the 19th century closed, one of the Southwest’s major "attractions" was its vibrant Native American cultures. In response to unsystematic collecting by Eastern museums, anthropologist Edgar Lee Hewett founded the Museum of New Mexico in 1909 with a mission to collect and preserve Southwest Native American material culture. Several years later, in 1927, John D. Rockefeller founded the renowned Laboratory of Anthropology with a mission to study the Southwest’s indigenous cultures. In 1947 the two institutions merged, bringing together the most inclusive and systematically acquired collection of New Mexican and Southwestern anthropological artifacts in the country. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily, May through October; closed Mondays November through April, closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. 710 Camino Lejo off Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87504, Phone: (505) 476-1269. Events, news releases and images about activities at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and other in divisions of the Department of Cultural Affairs can be accessed at media.newmexicoculture.org

 

# # #

New Mexico CulturePass

Your ticket to New Mexico's exceptional Museums and Historic Sites.
From Indian treasures to space exploration, world-class folk art to awesome dinosaurs—our museums and monuments celebrate the essence of New Mexico every day.
More Info »

The wallet size version of the CulturePass showing the $30 price
An animated image of a cell phone showing various topics presented in the Encounter Culture podcast

Encounter Culture

Take a look inside the museums and historic sites of New Mexico without leaving home. Join host Charlotte Jusinski, and a variety of guest curators, artists, and exhibitors in exploring the art and culture of the state in Encounter Culture, a new podcast from the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

Logo and Link to Google Podcasts Logo and Link to Apple Podcasts Logo and Link to Spotify Podcasts

Featured DCA Exhibitions

A photo featuring items representing the The First World War exhibition

The First World War

The First World War exhibition investigates the contributions of New Mexicans to the war, through letters,
more »

A photo featuring items representing the Icons of Exploration exhibition

Icons of Exploration

Showcases some of the Museum’s most celebrated objects including a real "moon rock," rare replicas of the first
more »

A photo featuring items representing the New Mexico Colonial Home - Circa 1815 exhibition

New Mexico Colonial Home - Circa 1815

The Spanish colonial home (la casa) gives visitors an idea of what a home from the time around 1815 would have looked
more »

A photo featuring items representing the The Palace Seen and Unseen: A Convergence of History and Archaeology  exhibition

The Palace Seen and Unseen: A Convergence of History and Archaeology

Reflecting current archaeological and historical perspectives, Palace Seen and Unseen draws from historic documents,
more »