When
Archaeology Café: Why You Should Experience Casa Grande Ruins National MonumentWith Kyle Woodson
February 4, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Knowledge seekers of every kind are welcome at Archaeology Café at The Loft Cinema for a series of programs exploring the deep and diverse history of the Southwest. Join us on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, as Kyle Woodson discusses Casa Grande National Monument. Explore what makes this place special, discover what it tells us about life long ago, and learn how you can experience this significant place today.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is a sanctuary where you can still feel a connection with the past. The centerpiece is the four-story tall adobe “Great House” (Casa Grande) that was built in the early 1300s. It was set aside as the Nation’s first archaeological reserve in 1892, and became part of the National Park Service in 1918. Between 60,000 and 80,000 people visit the Monument annually, making it a top tourist attraction in Pinal County. For the Akimel O’odham and other descendant Native American tribes (such as the Hopi and Zuni), Casa Grande Ruins is a sacred place with deep spiritual meaning. It figures prominently in traditional oral histories and serves as a tangible reminder of distant ancestors. Few places in Arizona can match the combination of historical, archaeological, and cultural significance of Casa Grande Ruins.—Kyle Woodson
ABOUT THE SPEAKERKyle Woodson is the Director of the Cultural Resource Management Program for the Gila River Indian Community. His research interests include Hohokam culture and irrigation strategies in the Phoenix Basin. ABOUT ARCHAEOLOGY CAFÉPresented by Archaeology Southwest, a nonprofit organization working across the Southwest to explore and protect the places of our past, Archaeology Café is an informal forum where adults can learn more about the Southwest’s deep history and speak directly to experts. At Archaeology Café, we break down the static, jargon-laden dynamic of traditional lectures, and have an expert share some ideas with the group in ways that get discussion going. (Food and drink make things a little livelier, too.) WHEN & WHEREWe gather at The Loft Cinema (3233 E. Speedway Blvd.) around 5:30 p.m. to visit and enjoy food and beverages. Programs begin at 6 p.m. in Theatre 1. Seating is open and unreserved. The Loft has plenty of free parking! COSTArchaeology Café is free. Guests are encouraged to purchase their own refreshments from The Loft’s impressive concession bar. Offerings include tamales, pizza, wraps, sandwiches, snacks, and a great selection of local beers and wines. CAN’T MAKE IT?No problem! If you can’t attend in person, join us on Facebook Live that evening. Videos of each Café will also be available at www.archaeologysouthwest.org/video after each event. This program was made possible by Arizona Humanities and The Smith Living Trust.