ABOUT

Since 1989, Living Archaeology Weekend has provided visitors of all ages a program of high-quality, interactive demonstrations on American Indian and pioneer technologies and lifeways, archaeological methods, and cultural resource preservation. The free event is held in the beautiful Red River Gorge of eastern Kentucky. The Red River Gorge is home to many nationally significant archaeological sites and historic properties.

 

Until 2007, the United States Forest Service with the help of state agencies and local organizations sponsored the event. Since 2007, LAW has been cosponsored by the US Forest Service, the Kentucky Organization of Professional Archaeologists, and the Kentucky Archaeological Survey. A Steering Committee composed of members from these three organizations, and the Kentucky Heritage Council, plans the event.

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In 2018, members of the LAW Steering Committee published Living Archaeology Weekend: Building a Bridge to the Past through Technology in an edited volume on public archaeology. The book chapter describes the event and its history, the major factors contributing to the program’s longevity and success, and to how you can plan and carry out an event like LAW. Download the publication here!