Join us on October 17, 2020 as the Archaeological Institute of America, Nashville Society, and the Nashville Parthenon celebrate International Archaeology Day throughout a morning of safe, educational archaeological activities that share the legacy of Greek culture and raise awareness of archaeological concepts.
A variety of social distance compliant activity stations will be spread out across the second level of the Parthenon in both the Naos and the Treasury in order to offer learning opportunities ideal for all ages. This year’s theme is “Beyond the Excavation” to address how archaeology is more than just digging; while excavations during COVID-19 have been cancelled, research and study of archaeological material may still safely occur. The modified informal learning experiences will highlight non-excavation archaeological concepts, such as mapping, cataloging, and determining chronologies. Museum visitors at this archaeology fair event will earn an “Official Archaeologist of the Nashville Parthenon” archaeology badge!
Tabletop activity stations, each equipped with 6ft social distance spacing, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes, include:
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cataloging & Mapping – Visitors will complete a catalog card about an artifact with descriptions and measurements as an example of how archaeologists begin researching artifacts. Once cataloged, visitors will use observation skills to map locations of chocolate chips just as archaeologists record artifact locations before, during, and after excavation.
Olive Oil Painting with Kidsville – Join Kidsville to learn about mythology stories as seen in Parthenon sculptures, and use disposable materials to create your own take-home olive oil painting.
Discover the Date – Visitors will learn about relative dating and chronology by using examples from the Parthenon’s permanent collection of paintings with no known date, showing how archaeologists can interpret dates by research and comparison to other objects.
Ask an Expert – Professors from Vanderbilt University will talk about their research and the work they do beyond excavation, proving how fieldwork is a small part of the field of archaeology.
Research Station – Designated the Quiet Area, this inclusive space offers books that feature the archaeology.
Experimental Archaeology – Visitors can build miniature ancient structures with blocks and assorted materials just as archaeologists can learn about the past by testing out ideas through experimentation of architectural steps and processes.
Please note: all visitors are required to wear face coverings inside the Nashville Parthenon. To encourage proper social distancing, the museum keeps a strict capacity limit; all visitors should plan accordingly to wait in a line outside the building, rain or shine. We recommend arriving early to ensure enough time to explore and visit each activity station.
Sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America, Nashville Society, Vanderbilt University, Centennial Park Conservancy, and Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation.