Archaeology Dig at Skirball Cultural Center

Saturday–Sunday until 4:15 pm

Uncover replicas of ancient artifacts and analyze clues to discover connections to people of the past.

Imagine you are an archaeologist at the Archaeology Dig! Sift and sort to find replicas of ancient artifacts buried beneath the sand, weigh and examine your findings, and analyze clues to discover what we have in common with people who lived three thousand years ago.

The Archaeology Dig is open until 4:15 pm. If you reserve 3:00–4:00 pm tickets to Noah’s Ark at the Skirball, please plan to visit the Dig beforehand.

Unearth and Explore Sundays
Archaeologists, Indigenous teaching artists, and historians lead special projects and hands-on activities every third Sunday at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm.

November 17—Soapstone Amulets*
Teaching artist Lazaro Arvizu will discuss and display steatite stonework of the Gabrielino/Tongva people during a lesson on Native California lifeways. Then, carve and decorate a soapstone amulet that you can wear home.
*Find this activity on the Museum Terrace on November 17 as part of the Voices of Heritage daylong celebration.

January 19—Chachaanke’: A Traditional Tongva Game
Join teaching artist Virginia Carmelo* in celebrating the culture and language of the Gabrielino/Tongva people. Decorate game pieces and learn how to play the traditional game of Chachaanke’, while listening to a song in the Tongva language.
*While you’re here, see Virginia’s portrait and Tongva language representation in the current exhibition On the National Language: The Poetry of America’s Endangered Tongues. This exhibition features poetic, visual, and linguistic selections of speakers and students of endangered languages who are living in the US today.

February 16—Cyanotypes
Experiment with solar exposures in a cyanotype activity led by Meztli Projects, an Indigenous based arts & culture collaborative.

Location:

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049

(Image Credit: Skirball Cultural Center)