Events that Rock!

Dig in to Massachusetts Archaeology Month, a month-long celebration. Museums, libraries, archaeologists, and many more people and institutions are joining Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Massachusetts Historical Commission, and the State Archaeologist in hosting exhibits, lectures, walks, and events for adults, children, and teachers.

Bay State Parent has published a sampling of these family events below (Listed alphabetically by community.)

To see if there is an event in a town near you, or to get more information on any of the events listed here, call 617-727-8470 or visit www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcarch/arch07/arch07idx.htm

Acton Wed., Oct. 10: Discovering the Archaeology of Acton. Science Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton. Native Americans lived along the Assabet River in Acton more than 7,000 years ago! See replicas of artifacts uncovered by archaeologists at the Pine Hawk Site. Try several hands-on activities to learn about techniques that archaeologists use to uncover and interpret important clues to the past. Free w/admission: $9 pp, Under 1 free. 978-264-4200 x 20.

Boston Oct. 2 - 8: Investigating Stone Tools and Computers in Archaeology. Museum of Science, Boston. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tools: Investigate replicas of stone tools and learn how archaeologists interpret the flakes and worked stones that they found. Computers: Investigate how computers assist in archeological finds. Run your own virtual excavation. Free w/admission: A$16, C (3-11) $13. 617-589-0341 or www.mos.org

Sat., Oct. 6: Family Archaeology Fair at the Museum of Science. Boston. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Introduce your children to archaeology with fun activities, storytelling, demonstrations, and competitions. Free w/admission: A$16, C (3-11) $13. For times of activities, contact: 617-589-0341 or www.mos.org

Sat., Oct. 6: Family Archaeology Day the Blake House. 735 Columbia Rd., Dorchester. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Become an archaeologist for the day at the oldest house in Boston. All ages. Bring work gloves. Guided tours start at noon. Rain Date: 0ct. 7. Free. 617-474-9307

Sat., Oct. 13: Hands-On Archaeology. Boston University Dept. of Archaeology, 675 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 347. 1 - 5 p.m. Ages 10 to adult. Activities will include the science of plant and animal identification, site reconstruction using geology and microscopes, and artifact identification with finds from around the world, from ancient times to colonial Massachusetts. Free. 617 -353-3415, akaeding@bu.edu

Sun., Oct. 14: The Archaeology of Kids. Boston Public Library Copley Square. 2 p.m. All ages. City Archaeologist Ellen Berkland talks about how kids show up in the archaeological record. Artifacts and hands-on activities. Free. 617-859-2328 or 617-536-5400.

Sat., Oct. 20: Fall Family Fun: Pierce House, 24 Oakton Ave., Dorchester. 1 - 4 p.m. Crafts and other harvest-themed activities. The Dirt Detectives activity uses a mock archaeological pit where visitors use actual tools of the trade to excavate fragments of pottery and put them together. Free. 617-277-3956, x 242

Cambridge Mon., Oct. 8: Zooarchaeology Laboratory Open House. Room 35B, Peabody Museum, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Ave. 12 - 4:30 p.m. A behindthe scenes visit to a laboratory that analyzes animal bones dug up from archaeological sites. If you have found a bone, bring it along and have it identified. No appointment required. Free. 617-495-8317, zooarch@ fas.harvard.edu, or www.peabody.harvard.edu/visiting . Open House for school groups on Oct. 9 & 10 by appointment.

Wed., Oct. 10 and Thurs., Oct. 18: Guided Tour of "The Houses of Ancient Israel" and "Ancient Egypt" Semitic Museum, Harvard University, 6 Divinity Ave. 12:15 p.m. Features a full-scale, furnished replica of an Iron Age Israelite house ca. 1200- 600 BCE, artifacts that might be found in a palace, and a mural depicting an interpretation of Solomon's Temple. "Ancient Egypt: Magic and the Afterlife" exhibits coffins, amulets, and funerary inscriptions from the museum's collection introducing visitors to the Egyptian view of life after death. Free. 617-495-4631, davis4@fas.harvard.edu, or www.fas.harvard.edu/~semitic

Sat., Oct. 13: Archaeology of Egypt and the Ancient Near East. Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St. 9:30 a.m. -noon. Work with real artifacts and ceramics. Take a private tour of the Semitic Museum's installation, "Ancient Egypt: Magic and the Afterlife." Pre-register: 617-495-2341 or www.hmnh.harvard.edu

October Ongoing: Museum Exhibitions at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Harvard University, 11 Divinity Ave. Six exhibits on North American Indians, the Mayas and the Aztecs, and more. Free of charge to Massachusetts residents, Sundays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and Wednesdays 3 - 5 p.m. (Sept.- May). 617-496-0099 or e-mail gerardi@fas.harvard.edu

Concord Ongoing by Appointment: Native American Stone Tools. Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Rd. or your school/meeting place. Explore Native American lifeways through a hands-on activity using 4,000- year-old stone artifacts. By using the inquiry method to examine, describe, and identify the artifacts, participants acquire insight into the function and importance of stone tools in Native American life. 978-369-9763 or e-mail vtuttle@concordmuseum . org. Onsite: $6pp (10 person min); Offsite: $100 plus mileage, 25-person max. Pre-registration required.

Sat., Oct. 7: From Land to Hand: Celebrating the Historic Harvest. The Old Manse, 269 Monument St. 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Outdoor demonstrations of historic crafts and other fun activities. Suggested donation: $2 pp/ $10 family. House tours: A$8, St./ Sr. $7, C$5, and $25 family.978-369-3909, e-mail oldmanse@ttor.org, or www.oldmanse.org

Littleton Fridays in Oct.: Archaeology Lab Open House. 410 Great Rd., top floor, east side of the building. 10 a.m. - noon. Meet archaeologists involved in investigating archaeological sites in Massachusetts, with a hands-on discussion of how artifacts are analyzed. Bring in your own artifacts for analysis. Free. 978-486-0688 or e-mail mdudek@johnmilnerassociates.com

Marion Thurs., Oct. 18: Underwater Archaeology in Massachusetts -- New! Marion Natural History Museum. 7 p.m. Victor Mastone, Chief Archaeologist of the MA Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, will present an illustrated lecture on the wealth of heritage most of us never see lying under the ocean, lakes, and rivers of our state including lighthouses, ship captains' homes, and the USS Constitution. $5NM.

Middleborough Sat., Oct. 13: Robbins Museum Open House. Robbins Museum of Archaeology, 17 Jackson St. 4 - 6 p.m. See exhibits of Native American culture and artifacts including ancient stone tools, pottery, an authentic dugout canoe, and a diorama depicting a 5,000 year old village site excavated on the shore of Assawompsett Pond. Take a "Walk Through Time" in the newest exhibit of how Native culture has changed through time. Free. 508-947-9005 or email info@massarchaeology.org

Sat., Oct. 20: Introduction to Archaeology for Children. Robbins Museum of Archaeology, 17 Jackson St. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. After an introduction to archaeology, get your archaeology field pack so that you can excavate a simulated archaeological site complete with mysteries and features. Led by a professional archaeologist. $7.50 first child, $6 each additional child. E-mail: plymoutharch@hotmail. com.Pre-register and pay: www.parp4kids.com

Sat., Oct. 27: Archaeology Rocks! Robbins Museum of Archaeology, 17 Jackson St. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Kids of all ages can hold and examine real Native American artifacts. $5 per family. 508-947-9005 or e-mail j.quackenbush@ips.invensys.com

Norwell Ongoing October: Early People of the North River. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane. A timeline enhances a drawing of a village along the North River, illustrating lifestyles from 10,000BP to 2000AD. Plus, a display of some of artifacts and modern birch bark work.A$5, Sr./C under 2 $3. 781-659-2559 or www.ssnsc.org Pittsfield Sat., Oct. 7: Shaker Waterpower Tour. Hancock Shaker Village, check in at Visitor's Center (located on Route 20, 5 miles west of downtown Pittsfield, 1.2 miles west of junction of Rtes. 20 & 41). 3 - 5 p.m. Hike (easy to moderate ability level) to view archaeological sites of Shaker saw, grist, and textile mills. Tour includes a demonstration of the 1858 water turbine, with woodworking machinery, in the laundry & machine shop. A$15, Under 12 free. 413-443-0188 x216 or e-mail tburdick@hancockshakervillage.org

Plymouth Sat., Oct. 13: Archaeology Storage Tour. Plimoth Plantation Visitor Center, 137 Warren Ave. 1 p.m. See artifacts from the Wampanoag people and the English colonists that are seldom exhibited. Learn how archaeologists glean exciting information from tiny fragments. Free w/admission: A$21, C$12. 508- 746-1622 x 8379 or e-mail kgoldstein@plimoth.org

Shrewsbury Mondays in October: Archaeology Club: Love Your Mummy! Shrewsbury Library, 609 Main St. Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29 at 6 p.m. 508-842-0081 X 4. Free. Grades 2 - 4. Learn about the different mummies that have been found throughout the world; what makes a mummy (with hands-on activities); or even become one. 508-842-0081.

Springfield Sat., Oct. 20: Native American Powwow. Springfield Science Museum, The Quadrangle, Edwards St. off of Chestnut St. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Family program of inter-tribal dancing, songs, storytelling, demonstrations, and craft vendors. Life-size diorama, artifacts, and wigwam. $3. 413-263-6800 or e-mail info@springfieldmuseums.org

Westwood Sat., Oct. 27: A Walk in Time, Stone Tool Making, and Show and Tell. Hale Reservation-Cat Rock parking lot. Walk: 10 - 11:30 a.m. A moderate to brisk walking tour of some of Hale Reservation's Native American archaeological sites including a felsite quarry and hunting shelter. Free. Also Flint Knapping and the Art of Stone Tool Making at the Trading Post (1 mile from entrance), 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. See a demonstration of techniques used in stone toolmaking and discuss the variety of tools used by Native Americans in their everyday life. Show and Tell: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Bring in objects that you think may be genuine archaeological artifacts from any period of time. Free. 781-326-1770.

Worcester Sun., Oct. 7: Conservation Lab Open House. Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Ave., Worcester. 12 - 2 p.m. Learn more about metals conservation in this behind-the-scenes program. Free w/admission: A$9, C (6-16) $7. www.higgins.org