Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center will celebrate the summer solstice June 21 with a series of guided walks.
The walks will be led by special guest Dennis Peterson, archaeologist and retired manager of Spiro Mounds.
Two tours are offered one at 11 a.m. and another at 7 p.m.
Each walk lasts approximately two hours and involve about one mile of easy walking.
The 7 p.m. walk will conclude with a viewing of the sunset behind House Mound 3, weather permitting.
Participants will learn about this unique prehistoric mound site, including the different types of mounds, their purposes, the significance of the solstices and the solar alignments that occur at Spiro.
Peterson will share the history of excavations at the site, discuss Native ceremonies and stories, recount unusual events associated with the mounds and answer questions from visitors.
Admission to the site, including the solstice walks, is currently free.
Reservations are required only for large groups.
Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is the only prehistoric Native American site open to the public in Oklahoma and is administered by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
The center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission to the site is currently free while updates are made to the visitor center and grounds.
The center is located three miles east of Spiro on Highway 9/271 and four miles north on Lock and Dam Road.
For more information or to schedule a group or school tour, please contact Anna Vincent at 918-962-2062 or spiro@history.ok.gov.
The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people.
Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state.
Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.
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