Published: December 11, 2007 09:35 am      

New exhibit opens at the Falls of Ohio

A new display at Falls of the Ohio State park will feature finds from an archeological dig in Harrison County.

From May 1997 to September 2000, the Indiana State University Anthropology Laboratory, under the direction of Russell Stafford, excavated four sites at the present location of the Caesars World Casino complex.

As many as 100 crew members at a time worked in one of the largest archaeological digs ever carried out in the eastern United States. Analysis of the artifacts and data continued for more than seven years after digging stopped. This display shows many of the items recovered, representing a time span of 8,000 years.

The Caesars Archaeological Project showed that the people who lived in southern Harrison County thousands of years ago were much like the present residents. They recognized the rich resources of the area and used them skillfully to live what may have been a comfortable existence.

There are no signs of lavish lifestyles or people of exalted status; no evidence of extensive trade or travel; no large ceremonial earthworks or spectacular rituals. These were ordinary people harvesting the bounty of a diverse environment and gradually learning more about all it had to offer. Beginning with brief visits and ending with multiseason settlements, these ordinary people made it home.

This exhibit will be shown through March 30. Programs at the Interpretive Center are free with building admission.

Call the Interpretive Center at 812-280-9970 for more information.

Admission to the Interpretive Center is $4 for adults and $1 for children 2 to 18 years old. The Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.