Natural Bridge State Resort Park To Host Living Archaeology Weekend September 18-19

Natural Bridge State Resort Park will host Living Archaeology Weekend, a free event bringing together artisans, heritage specialists, and the public to explore the area’s rich cultural traditions on Sept. 18-19.

On Friday, Sept. 18, the event will host dozens of preregistered school groups only. On Saturday, Sept. 19, the event is open and free to all members of the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The materials and skills presented at the event draw on over 100 years of archaeological investigation in the Red River Gorge area, as well as oral traditions and historical research.

Guests will learn about the past through demonstrations like crafting pottery in regional styles and weaving cane baskets modeled after recovered fragments. Traditional flint knapping demonstrations focus on the spearpoint and arrowhead styles typical of the area. Bow-and-arrow and spear-throwing demonstrations use tools modeled after those used by American Indian residents. The demonstrations also feature crops domesticated by Native peoples thousands of years ago. Other demonstrations focus on pump drilling, cattail weaving, cordage or string making, and food grinding technologies.

Experts will also demonstrate early Settler technologies like processing hemp, making rope, turning wool and hemp into yarn with spinning wheels and drop spindles, and weaving on finger and back looms. Visitors can experience shelling and grinding corn using hand-operated equipment.

The event also highlights the archaeological research and preservation work behind these traditions. Archaeologists discuss ongoing site-preservation efforts and share educational materials about Kentucky’s ancient and more recent archaeological resources, while other demonstrators explain the significance of rock art petroglyphs and describe how the U.S. Forest Service helps protect the cultural and natural resources that make these technologies possible.

Tribal demonstrators will share traditional and contemporary Native stories, material culture, and speak the Native language. They will demonstrate traditional dancing and describe the regalia and sound-makers worn while dancing. On Saturday, musicians will perform traditional string band music associated with the Southern Appalachian Mountain region.

Now in its 38^th year, Living Archaeology Weekend is organized by the Kentucky Organization of Professional Archaeologists, Kentucky Archaeological Survey, U.S. Forest Service-Daniel Boone National Forest, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kentucky Heritage Council, and Kentucky State Parks.

Living Archaeology Weekend is supported with America250KY funding from the Kentucky Heritage Council, Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission and the Kentucky Historical Society. For more information, visit heritage.ky.gov and history.ky.gov. It has been funded in part by a grant from the National Trust Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Major funding is also provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Powell County Tourism Commission, Stanton Tourism and Convention Commission, and WSP.

After the event’s conclusion on Saturday, guests are welcome to attend the weekly Natural Bridge Hoedown, with line dancing, square dancing and clogging.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is located at 2135 Natural Bridge Road in Slade, Kentucky. The event is held at Hoedown Island in the park, with visitor parking available at the Hoedown Island and Natural Bridge Arch Trail parking lots. For more information, visit https://www.livingarchaeologyweekend.org/.

Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses. For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit parks.ky.gov.

Photo provided.