The Archaeological Conservancy

10/05/2026

INTERNATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY DAY—Public events across North America invite visitors to meet archaeologists and explore the past this October. On October 16, the Belize Institute of Archaeology will host activities at Cahal Pech; on October 17, fairs are planned at Red Rocks Park in Colorado and the Marquette Regional History Center in Michigan.

Find events near you: https://www.archaeological.org/programs/public/archaeologyday/events/

International Archaeology Day Events on the AIA website

10/05/2026

ONLINE—How was public space used at Paquimé in northern Mexico? Archaeologist Michael D. Mathiowetz will discuss a possible main plaza and its ritual significance in a free Old Pueblo Archaeology Center presentation on October 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Arizona time. Registration is required.

Read more: https://www.oldpueblo.org/event/defining-the-main-plaza-and-ritual-use-of-space-in-the-ceremonial-precinct-at-paquime-free-online-presentation/

View of Paquimé and the Mound of the Offerings, photo courtesy of the Amerind Foundation On Thursday, October 15, 2026, Old Pueblo Archaeology Center’s “Third Thursday Food for Thought” online Read more…

10/05/2026

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On October 11, a public program at the U.S. Navy Memorial will explore two Revolutionary War wrecks from the Battle of Valcour Island: the recovered Royal Savage and the Spitfire, which remains in Lake Champlain. Researchers will discuss what the vessels reveal about early naval history and their ongoing study and preservation.

Read more: https://www.archaeological.org/event/250th-anniversary-of-battle-of-valcour-island-in-lake-champlain-and-a-vision-for-exhibiting-us-navys-underwater-archaeology/

Archaeological event listing for AIA-Washington, DC Society, Naval History and Heritage Command Underwater Archaeology, National Museum of the United States Navy, United States Navy Memorial, and the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

10/04/2026

LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO—Bandelier National Monument’s Fall Fiesta returns October 10–11, with cultural demonstrations, ranger-led walks and talks, a Navajo rug show, and activities for young visitors. Events run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the visitor center.

Read more: https://home.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/bandelier-fall-fiesta-2026.htm

Bandelier's Fall Fiesta is back! Activities, Cultural demonstrations, Ranger programs, and more!

10/04/2026

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation ended consultation on an agreement to address the proposed triumphal arch’s effects on historic properties near Arlington Memorial Bridge. The National Park Service identified adverse effects on 42 historic properties. The council is seeking public views through September 29 before sending its formal comments to the Interior Department; the Section 106 review has not yet concluded.

Read more: https://www.achp.gov/news/achp-announces-termination-section-106-consultation-triumphal-arch-project

Today the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) notified the National Park Service that it is terminating consultation on the development of a Section 106 agreement for the Triumphal Arch Project in Washington, DC, and Virginia. Pursuant to its responsibilities under the National Historic...

10/03/2026

TAC SITE SPOTLIGHT, NORTHEAST LOUISIANA—The Conservancy’s Mott preserve protects part of one of the Southeast’s largest ancient mound centers. At least 14 mounds once stood around a 48-acre plaza; one rises more than 26 feet. Evidence at the site spans several periods of Indigenous history.

10/02/2026

SOCORRO COUNTY, NEW MEXICO—At Mockingbird Gap, stone tools and decades of detailed maps offer an unusually precise record of an ancient Clovis landscape. Archaeologists are bringing the collection together with new fieldwork to study how people lived and moved through the Jornada del Mu**to.

Read more: https://www.thearchcons.org/deciphering-mockingbird-gap/

Researchers combine old collections and new technologies to understand one of the Southwest’s richest Clovis landscapes in central New Mexico.

10/02/2026

SMITH’S ISLAND, BERMUDA—The Sea Venture brought shipwreck survivors to Bermuda in 1609. Archaeology on Smith’s Island and at Jamestown traces what happened next and the connections between these early English settlements. Read Paula Neely’s feature in the Fall issue of American Archaeology.

Read more: https://www.thearchcons.org/bermuda-smiths-island

Archaeology on Smith’s Island is restoring Bermuda’s overlooked role in the survival of Jamestown and the rise of England’s Atlantic colonies.

10/02/2026

CAHOKIA, ILLINOIS—What did the contents of ancient ceramic beakers reveal about the reach of yaupon, a caffeinated plant native to the Southeast? In American Archaeology, Christina Larson follows the evidence for Black Drink and the scientific methods used to investigate its history.

Read more: https://www.thearchcons.org/tracing-black-drink-in-southeast-united-states/

Once undetectable in the archaeological record, yaupon holly residues help reveal the history of a caffeinated ritual drink beyond the plant's native range.

10/01/2026

HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA—Volunteer site stewards have contributed more than 1,200 hours removing young trees from archaeological areas at the Hillsborough Sites Preserve, which includes historic Occaneechi Town. The work helps protect deposits from growing roots while the Conservancy plans for the land’s continuing care.

Read more:

Volunteer site stewards have contributed more than 1,200 hours removing trees from archaeological sites at Hillsborough Sites Preserve in North Carolina.