Texas Archeology Month

October is Texas Archeology Month (TAM)!

Each year, the Texas Historical Commission celebrates the spirit of discovering Texas' past. It's an opportunity for Texans to understand the depth and richness of our heritage, from the former dwelling sites of prehistoric hunters and gatherers to historic shipwrecks and military sites; the historical significance of the state's archeological sites; the importance of proper archeological practices; and contributions made by professional and avocational archeologists to our understanding of Texas’ ancient and recent past. TAM events are held all across the state and online throughout the month of October. Most are family-friendly and include events such as Archeology Days with hands-on activities and demonstrations, museum tours and special exhibits, lectures and presentations, history walks, and more.

Thank you to everyone who made TAM 2021 a great sucess! We had 68 events on the TAM calendar. These events and activities were held both virtually and in-person, in 31 counties around the state, and were sponsored by more than 35 partners. Through our partnership with Texas Archeological Research Laboratory, nearly 2,000 archeology activity kits were distributed to kids around Central Texas, and they were such a hit! These kits included pinch pots, gorgets, and coloring pages.

We'd love to share pictures from your TAM event! Please email them to TAM Coordinator Maggie Moore (Maggie.Moore@thc.texas.gov) and we'll post them in our TAM gallery.

And remember, you can still get FREE archeology-related materials (posters, brochures, educational materials) to distribute to the public during events all year. Submit a Public Outreach Materials Order Form or email Donna McCarver (donna.mccarver@thc.texas.gov) to have them mailed to you free of charge.

Planning for TAM 2022 is already underway---We Need Your Help!

We plan to continue building on last year's success with the archeology-related kits and scale up our efforts. We are looking for partners around the state to get as many of these kits into the communities as we can. If you are willing to help with funds, supplies, labor for kit assembly, and/or distribution networks, please contact TAM Coordinator Maggie Moore (Maggie.Moore@thc.texas.gov). A variety of kits can be made for $0.50 or less, and we can provide links to videos and instructional materials. Kit ideas include pinch pots, gorgets, ceramic reconstruction, beads, painted rocks, and rock art, and we are open to other ideas as well. If you plan to host a TAM event and would like some of these to distribute there, please let us know.

Check out the final calendar below to see what types of events were held and get ideas for TAM 2022! For more information, assistance, or suggestions, please contact TAM Coordinator Maggie Moore (Maggie.Moore@thc.texas.gov).