October is California Archaeology Month, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is celebrating it with Archaeology Day!

Bring the entire family to King Gillette Ranch to join us in celebrating International Archaeology Day! This event is family friendly with activities for people of all ages!

Performance schedule:

9:30am - Opening Blessing and Presentation of Chumash Culture through Songs and Stories by Dennis Garcia, Chumash/ Fernandeno Tataviam Elder

11:00am - What Lies Beneath: Historical Archaeology at Los Angeles State Historic Park by Barbara Tejada. (California State Parks)

12:00pm - Talepop through Time: The Archeology of CA-LAN-229 by Nicole Kulaga. (National Park Service)

1:00pm - Down the Chute: Excavation of the Crags Country Club Cellar at Malibu Creek State Park by Ann Stansell (California State Parks)

All-day activities:

• Dig up "artifacts" like an archaeologist in the hands-on excavation box

• Practice throwing an atlatl spear or a rabbit stick at a target

• Watch flint knapping demonstrations as experts turn stone into arrowheads

• See genuine local artifacts on display

• Learn more about history and prehistory with our hands-on replica artifact tables

• Learn about the difference between archaeologists and paleontologists (hint: archaeologists don't dig dinosaurs)

• Learn about how archaeologists study artifacts at the archaeology lab table

• Discover archaeology programs offered at local colleges

• Become a Junior Archaeologist and earn a special patch!

And more!

This event & parking is completely free and open to the public.