One-day course to focus on Utah archaeology

Utahns are invited to take an eye-opening class about the lives of hundreds of generations who lived in the area, from their first settlement to modern times.

It will be a "quick, one-day overview of the last 11,000 years," said Ron Rood, Utah's assistant state archaeologist. The free Utah archaeology course, to be held on Oct. 14, will be taught by staff members of the Antiquities Section, Utah Division of State History.

The class will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Rio Grande Depot, 300 S. Rio Grande St. The historic depot is the division's home.

"How long have people lived in Utah? What is an atlatl? Is it true there is a 1,000-year-old Fremont village under the streets of Salt Lake City?" These are some of the questions the course will answer, according to Claudia Nakano, communications director for the Utah Department of Community and Culture.

Subjects include the state's archaeological resources and prehistoric cultures; protection of archaeological sites; and the ways people can get involved in archaeology. Rounding out the day's activities will be a "behind-the-scenes tour of the state archaeology lab," Nakano noted in a press release.

She urged interested people to register as soon as possible with Rood at 533-3564, or by sending him an e-mail at rrood@utah.gov. The e-mail should have the words "October Class" in the subject line.