The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced that the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology at UNM will be recognizing International Archaeology Day with a series of events, including a presentation by a UNM alumnus and an Archaeology Family Day. International Archaeology Day is a celebration that highlights the field of archaeology and its important contributions to society.
The event is co-sponsored by the UNM Ortiz Center for Intercultural Studies and the UNM Department of Anthropology. According to a press release from UNM, the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology will be hosting a lecture on Thursday, October 19, featuring UNM alumnus Edward A. Jolie and Mowana L. Lomaomvaya. The lecture will focus on their research on Burden Basket Ceremonialism and the Evolution of Indigenous Basketry in the Northern U.S. Southwest. The lecture series will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the UNM Hibben Center, Room 105, followed by a reception at the Maxwell Museum where attendees can interact with the speakers and explore the Native North American basket exhibits.
In addition to the lecture, there will be a special curators tour of the temporary exhibition titled "Conversing with the Land and We Were Basket Makers Before We Were Pueblo People." This exhibition features over 170 baskets from the Maxwell Museum collections and will take place on Tuesday, October 17, from 2:30-4 p.m. The UNM announcement states that this year, Homecoming Week coincides with Archaeology Day, and the Maxwell staff is excited to welcome UNM alumni and visitors to the museum.
The Archaeology Family Day event will take place on Saturday, October 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. Faculty, staff, and archaeology students from the UNM Office of Contract Archaeology and UNM Department of Anthropology will be present to showcase archaeological techniques, organize a scavenger hunt, lead craft-making sessions, and offer various engaging activities for all ages.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, established in 1932, has been a center for research, education, and public engagement. The museum focuses on archaeology and the modern cultural diversity of the U.S. Southwest, according to their website.
