Family Dig Days

Dig Day introduction	Site Tour	Screening	Participants learn about the artifacts they found in the screens

The Public is invited to Dig Alexandria!

2013 Dates and Information

SIGN UP FOR A FAMILY DIG DAY and help City Archaeologists screen soil for artifacts from a real dig!

All the necessary equipment will be furnished, but please wear comfortable clothes, boots or sturdy shoes (no sandals), and bring a water bottle.

The event is presented in three parts, beginning with an introduction to the history and archaeology of the Shuter’s Hill Site, followed by a site tour, and finally gathering around the screens to sift through excavated soil collecting artifacts. The bags of artifacts will be sent to the laboratory in the Museum for processing.

The Shuter's Hill site has a long and varied history. The oldest artifacts found relate to early Native American occupation and include a quartzite hand axe, quartzite projectile points, and pottery fragments.Other artifacts found include bottles, rusted cans, broken china, car parts, and a 1920 Mercury dime. The remnants of several buildings have also been uncovered. These structures date before, during, and after the Civil War.

• 2013 Dates – Saturday, June 29, August 3, September 7, October 5 and 26 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm

• $5/person. Reservations required.

• Individuals and families are welcome. Children under sixteen years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult.

• Reservations are secured upon receipt of full payment, payable to the City of Alexandria. If not received within 7 working days, reservations may be reassigned. Only one Dig Day per family. See below for more information on making your reservation.

General Information

Family Dig Day sessions run for an hour and a half, and cost $5.00 per person. Reservations are required. Dig Days are held several times a year between May and October. For this summer’s schedule, please see the section above, or view our Calendar.

All the necessary equipment will be furnished, but please wear comfortable clothes, boots or sturdy shoes (no sandals), and bring a water bottle.

The event is presented in three parts, beginning with an introduction to the history and archaeology of the Shuter’s Hill Site, followed by a site tour, and finally gathering around the screens to sift through excavated soil collecting artifacts. The bags of artifacts will be sent to the laboratory in the Museum for processing.

The Shuter's Hill site has a long and varied history. The oldest artifacts found relate to early Native American occupation and include a quartzite hand axe, quartzite projectile points, and pottery fragments.Other artifacts found include bottles, rusted cans, broken china, car parts, and a 1920 Mercury dime. The remnants of several buildings have also been uncovered. These structures date before, during, and after the Civil War.

Guided Site Tours are also held each summer and fall. The public is invited to observe archaeologists at work, and to learn first-hand the steps to excavating a site. Meet the City Archaeologists and trained volunteers for one-hour guided tours. Learn about the site’s history and the artifacts. Site tours are free and open to the public, but reservations are required. See the Calendar for this year’s schedule, and call 703.746.4399 to sign up.

Reservations Are Required

To accommodate the large demand for the popular Family Dig Day program, the following policy has been established:

• Advanced Reservations may be made with receipt of the full non-refundable payment ($5.00 per person) for your selected session. Some sessions may already be filled, so please call to check availability before mailing your reservation to:

Family Dig Days
Alexandria Archaeology
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

• Telephone Reservations will be accepted beginning at 10 am on Tuesday for the next Saturday’s sessions. Call 703.746.4399.
• Walk-ins can NOT be accommodated. Space is limited. Everyone’s name must appear on the reservation list.