ROAD TRIP: Dig into some Lone Star history with these archeological events

THE WOODLANDS, TX – At last count, there are around 65,000 known archeological sites – ranging from ancient Ice Age camps to 20th-century military installations – recorded in Texas, with many more remaining undiscovered. Some of these sites date back at least 13,000 to 15,000 years (such as early Clovis and paleo-Indian sites), while others represent the Spanish Colonial, Republic, Civil War, and modern eras.

The Texas Historical Commission oversees regional preservation and manages 42 state historic sites. Three areas not too far from us in The Woodlands are holding special archaeological events for you to dig (see what we did there?) over the next couple of weekends.

This weekend, you and the family can enjoy Digging up the Past: Archeology at Fort McKavett on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m at the site located at 7066 Farm to Market Rd 864, Fort McKavett, TX 76841, less than a six-hour drive away.

If you’ve ever been a little curious how items end up in a museum, where they came from, or how they were found, then this is a program for you. Come on out to Fort McKavett and learn about how archeology works, why it is important, and how you can learn about the past through examining the items that are found on a dig or a survey. There will be a $2 charge per person in addition to the normal site fees for this event.

Details at thc.texas.gov/events/digging-past-archeology-fort-mckavett.

Meanwhile, a bit closer – less than four hours away – in San Antonio, check out El Camino Real Archeology Day at Casa Navarro State Historic Site located at 228 S Laredo St, San Antonio, TX 78207 on Saturday, October 17 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Celebrate Archaeology Month at Casa Navarro with a journey along the El Camino Real. Travel through three hands-on archaeology stations as you dig for artifacts and learn how archaeologists uncover and date objects, examine artifacts to piece together the story of the people who used them, and create your own pinch pot or rock art using natural pigments. Along the way, discover how archaeology helps us understand the people, places, and stories connected to this historic route. This event is free with general site admission.

Details at thc.texas.gov/events/el-camino-real-archeology-day.

If you need a little more lead time before heading out on a spontaneous road trip, next weekend check out the Archeology Fair at Port Isabel Lighthouse next Friday and Saturday, October 22 - 24 at 421 East Queen Isabella Blvd, Port Isabel, TX 78578 – close enough to the border to turn a family trip into an international affair.

Discover the stories hidden beneath the Texas coast. Visitors to the event can explore South Texas shipwrecks, learn about prehistoric archeological sites, and even watch archeologists conduct fieldwork on the historic lighthouse grounds. This free fair highlights the cultural and maritime history of the Texas coast while providing a behind-the-scenes look at the science of archeology.

Friday’s activities begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Lighthouse Boutique Hotel, 401 E. Maxan St., where Houston-based Burns & McDonnell will give a presentation about the Garcia Pasture Site. The Keeper’s Cottage Visitor Center will host a reception from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., with VIP lighthouse tours from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, State Archeologist Brad Jones and State Marine Archeologist Amy Borgens will give a presentation on the lawn of the lighthouse. Their presentation, projected onto the historic lighthouse itself, will explore shipwrecks and maritime archeology of South Texas, and explore how archeologists have uncovered clues about the coastal region’s past.

On Saturday, the lighthouse grounds will feature vendors and family-friendly activities from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Visitors can also watch archeologists at work as they conduct shovel tests on the lighthouse grounds, offering a glimpse into how researchers investigate historic sites before future construction projects. The lighthouse will be open for tours from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Details at thc.texas.gov/events/archeology-fair-port-isabel-lighthouse-saturday.