Discovery Day allows children to dig for artifacts in a designated mock area and sift through the dirt collected in their pails. Two platforms were set aside near a shady place where artifacts were arranged in a learning exhibit as kids gathered with archaeologist Susan Fishman-Armstrong to understand what they were seeing.
"If you move the artifacts you change the story," she said while urging the kids to use caution and care. "We don't always get to dig everything up, so let's try to figure out what was happening here with what we do have."
Fishman-Armstrong sat with a group of children, encouraging them to create a story of what happened based on an assortment of arrowheads and pieces of pottery. "Look at this arrowhead," she said, holding an obsidian rock for the group to see. "This type of rock is found by the coast, which means either it came from somewhere near the ocean or the ocean was once here."
Using this information, the children created a tale describing the affects of trading and a blending of cultures. "Right," said Fishman-Armstrong as their story developed, "different people, different cultures and different designs on the pottery give us a different story.
"Think about your history books," she said. "Is it always right? No. The archaeologists and historians have to work together because they each have half a story."
Allison McInnis, along with her sister and mother, traveled from Kennesaw to partake in the event. "It's really great and we get to apply what we learn," she said.
Steve McCarty, Interpretive Park Ranger, said that people were lined up to enjoy the event before the doors were opened. "We've had over 200 people come through for this," he said. "It has exceeded what I was expecting and hoping for and we've still got the guided tours going and regular activities. We've got great volunteers helping with everything."