Utah Prehistory Week Events Scheduled for Zion National Park

Date: April 30, 2008
Contact: David Eaker, 435-772-7811
Contact: Sarah Horton, 435-772-0214

Superintendent Jock Whitworth has announced several special programs to be presented at Zion National Park in observance of Utah Prehistory Week.  These programs will be presented from May 5 – 9.  In addition, regularly scheduled interpretive programs will also focus on history and prehistory topics during this week.  Please see posted schedules in the park for regularly scheduled interpretive programs or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/zion.

Human History Museum Patio Talk
Monday, May 5;  9 a.m.
Join NPS ranger and Kiabab Paiute tribal member Benn Pikyavit to learn more about the life and times of the Yana’want.

Ranger Guided Hike (East Rim Trail)
Tuesday, May 6;  11 a.m.
Meet NPS archaeologist Amber Van Alfen at the Weeping Rock Parking Lot in Zion Canyon for a guided hike on one of the oldest known trails in Zion National Park.  The East Rim Trail was first used by Native Americans to access the plateau from the canyon bottom, then by pioneers, and then by the National Park Service.   Please wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes, bring sun protection and bring drinking water.

Archaeological Site Tour
Wednesday, May 7;  2 p.m.
The tour will begin at the Zion Canyon Visitor center flagpole and includes a short easy hike to the site. The site is an excavated Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) food preparation and storage area. The tour will be about 1 hour long. Please wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes, bring sun protection and bring drinking water.

Human History Museum Patio Talk
Thursday, May 8;  9 a.m. and  4 p.m.
Visit with NPS ranger Valerie McClory for a fun and informative program about rock art. Learn possible reasons that ancient artists left these paintings and etchings behind and discover what they mean to you.

Prehistoric Craft Demonstration
Thursday, May 8;  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meet at the Visitor Center Patio.  Prehistoric technology enthusiasts Larry Stout, Steve Willis and John Olsen will be demonstrating prehistoric methods of stone tool making.  They will also display examples of pottery, sandals and jewelry made using prehistoric methods and natural materials.

Zion Lodge Talk
Friday, May 9;  1:30 p.m.
Join Bureau of Land Management archaeologist David Van Alfen for an overview of the prehistory of the Arizona Strip and neighboring regions.

Visitors and area residents are invited to attend these special programs and regularly scheduled programs. There are no fees for these programs but normal park entrance fees will be in effect.  Due to limited parking at the Zion Human History Museum, those planning to attend the programs at the museum should board a park shuttle at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and ride the shuttle to the museum.  For additional information call Sarah Horton at 435-772-0214.