MITCHELL, S.D. — Families will have an opportunity to explore South Dakota’s archaeological past during Archaeology Day on June 13 at the Mitchell Indigenous Archaeological Site & Museum.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum, located at 3200 Indian Village Road in Mitchell. Organizers are offering free admission for children as part of the day’s activities.
Visitors will have the chance to learn about the museum’s ongoing excavation of a Native American settlement that dates back approximately 1,000 years. The site is recognized as the only active archaeological dig in South Dakota that is open to the public and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Museum officials say decades of archaeological work have uncovered more than 4 million artifacts, providing insight into the lives, culture and achievements of the people who once lived in the area.
Through exhibits in the museum and its Archeodome facility, visitors can explore discoveries related to pottery making, bison processing, trade networks and daily life in the ancient community.
The Mitchell Indigenous Archaeological Site & Museum serves as a center for excavation, preservation and education, engaging students, researchers and the public in the study of the region’s Indigenous history.
Archaeology Day is designed to give visitors of all ages an opportunity to experience the excavation process firsthand and learn more about one of South Dakota’s most significant archaeological sites.