Every October, Virginia celebrates archaeology through special events and programs at libraries, museums, historical societies, clubs, and at active archaeological sites. Each year DHR produces an archaeology month poster, often in collaboration with other organizations or museums. This year, we have partnered with Dr. Martin Gallivan from the College of William & Mary and Dr. Jessica Jenkins from Flagler College to highlight their joint research initiative on archaeological oyster deposits that will help understand past human-environmental relationships and guide current and future conservation efforts.
The front of the poster features images of oyster middens, archaeological oyster shells, and a photograph of beaded oyster art pieces created by Nikki Bass (Nansemond). The flip side of the poster provides information about the ongoing oyster research.
To see more of Ms. Bass’s art and learn more about the Nansemond Indian Tribe visit the website Indigenous Life on the Nansemond River.
For more information about archaeology month, or to add an event to the calendar contact Laura Galke, Chief Curator, State Archaeology Division (804 /482-6441). To receive a free copy of this year’s poster, please fill out the form below. To learn about some of the many activities being held during Virginia Archaeology Month, see the event list on this page. This event list will be updated regularly as new information is submitted to DHR.
Organizations: submit your events for inclusion on this year’s archaeology month calendar.
Request a free archaeology month poster.
Archaeology Month Events
Virginia Archaeology Month
Virginia Archaeology Month is in October 2023!
Lab Nights with Fairfield
The CAPE 6783 Main St., Gloucester, VAThe public is welcome to join us on lab nights at the CAPE. Lab activities cater to all ages, ranging from cleaning the artifacts, processing cleaned artifacts, and occasionally mending […]
Fairfield Fridays
Fairfield 5777 Fairfield Lane, Hayes, VACome visit the Fairfield Archaeology Park! We will host tours at the structure where you can learn about a colonial site! Occasionally, we will have excavations during these Fridays, but […]
Friday Field Days
Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest 1776 Poplar Forest Pkwy, Lynchburg, VAThe 1857 Slave Dwelling Restoration project is a community-engaged effort in collaboration with Poplar Forest's African American Advisory Group to begin restoring a two-story brick building originally inhabited by enslaved […]
Archaeology in the West End
Southern Towers Farmer's Market 4901 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VASouthern Towers is surrounded by history! Visit the Southern Towers Farmer's Market between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to see artifacts from nearby sites, meet City archaeologists, and try your […]
Monticello Archaeology Open House
Monticello 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VAHelp celebrate Virginia Archaeology Month! Join us as Monticello’s Archaeology Department hosts its annual open house, featuring displays, exhibits on recent discoveries in the field and the lab, engaging activities […]
The Great Pottery Puzzle
James M. Duncan Branch Library 501 Commonwealth Ave, Alexandria, VirginiaHow do archaeologists study the past? Sort artifacts and learn about archaeology tools. Ages 6 – 12. Free, no registration required.
Public Dig at Abingdon Episcopal Church
Abingdon Episcopal Church 4645 George Washington Memorial Highway, Gloucester, VAThe Fairfield Foundation is excited to collaborate with Abingdon Episcopal Church on a new public archaeology experience for the parish's anniversary celebrations in 2023, 2024, and 2025. We aim to […]
Archaeology Behind the Scenes Tours
Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest 1776 Poplar Forest Pkwy, Lynchburg, VAAn amateur archaeologist known to have studied Native American material culture, Thomas Jefferson would surely be fascinated by the more than 300,000 artifacts found on the Poplar Forest grounds since […]
Friday Field Days
Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest 1776 Poplar Forest Pkwy, Lynchburg, VAThe 1857 Slave Dwelling Restoration project is a community-engaged effort in collaboration with Poplar Forest's African American Advisory Group to begin restoring a two-story brick building originally inhabited by enslaved […]
