One of the most unique of the facilities under the Oklahoma Historical Society umbrella is the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center.  Over 20,000 prehistoric sites are recorded in the state, but the only prehistoric Native American archaeological site in the state open to the public is the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center.
 
Located on the southern bank of the Arkansas River about 10 miles from the Arkansas state line, this 150 acre site tells the story of the most powerful group to exist in Oklahoma before European contact.  The Spiro Mounds site was created and used between A.D. 850 and 1450 by Native Americans who became parts of the Caddoan speaking tribes, the Wichita, the Kichai and the Caddo.  From eastern Oklahoma, Spiro Mounds leaders had trade and political/religious connection with most of the area now the United States.  Those connections and regional control allowed the leaders at Spiro Mounds to have an incredible amount of fancy items, like clothing, jewelry, ceremonial artifacts and even a special writing system.  The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center was created to help visitors understand the prehistoric people of Oklahoma.  
 
If you would like to learn more about the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center and Oklahoma prehistory, the Center will have its Fifth Annual Archaeology Day and 32nd birthday celebration on May 8, 2010 from 9am - 5pm.  There is no admission charge for this event.
 
There will be professional archaeologists and knowledgeable avocationalists who will be available for the day to help explain, display and demonstrate the tools of prehistory.  If you have arrowheads, pottery or other artifacts that you would like to know what they are and about the people who made them then this will be a great day to come out.  We ask that there be only 5 items per person to be identified.
 
There will also be re-enactors depicting the 1834-1838 occupation of Fort Coffee, which was built to control illegal goods coming into Indian Territory along the Arkansas River.  Although the fort no longer exists and the location is now in the river, it was important in the development of the Choctaw, Chickasaw and Cherokee Nations in the early years after the Removal.
 
Visitors will have an opportunity to see stone artisan, Neil Garrison, demonstrate how tools are made from stone.  Visitors will also be able to play games like Chunkee and and there will be plenty of children's activities.  Donated items will be given away throughout the day and birthday cake can be enjoyed all day long.
 
Several Native American artists, including Cherokee artist, Sonja Ayres, will show their works in stone, pottery and painting, which include designs from the Spiro Mounds site.  These artists will have a variety of pieces for sale. 
 
There will be lectures from professional archaeologists and a special guided tour of the Spiro Mounds by manager and archaeologist, Dennis Peterson, at 2 p.m.  

 
This is an annual event and everyone is welcome to learn more about archaeology and about one of the most unique prehistoric sites in the United States.  This event is being made possible by help from the Oklahoma Archeological Survey, Oklahoma Anthropological Society, the Arkansas Archaeological Society, the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center.
 
The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is located 3 miles east of Spiro, OK on highway 9/271 and 4 miles north on Lock and Dam Road.
 
If you would like more information, please contact Dennis Peterson at (918)962-2062 or email spiromds@ipa.net.