Grand Opening of Mesa Grande Interpretive Trail

When my mom was a little girl, Mesa Grande was practically her backyard. When I was a little girl, it was a place my mother talked about, but was fenced up and seemed forgotten. And now that I have little girls....

"A community vision to bring an archaeological treasure to the public is finally realized! A grand opening of the Mesa Grande Interpretive Trail is being held Saturday, March 27th from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Mesa Grande, located at West 10th Street and Date/Brown. Mesa Grande is a major prehistoric Hohokam site that flourished from about 1000-1450 A.D. The main feature is a large platform mound, about 27 feet high, that covers the size of a football field. The site is administered by the Arizona Museum of Natural History. 'This is a day we have been looking forward to for a long time. The opening of the trail will allow people to learn more about this unique site built by the Hohokam and our efforts to save it,' Arizona Museum of Natural History Curator of Anthropology Dr. Jerry Howard said.

The grand opening includes a free pancake breakfast from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM sponsored by the Mesa Grande Community Alliance. There will be several activities conducted throughout the morning:

· Atlatl Throw: Visitors can use an atlatl, the spear-thrower used by Paleoindians to hunt megafauna such as the mammoths.

· Ceramic Demonstration: Demonstrations showing how prehistoric groups formed ceramic bowls and jars. Kids and adults can try this activity.

· Rabbit Stick Throw: Kids and adults can try their hand at keeping rabbits out of the crops! Rabbit sticks are curved wooden weapons that can be thrown at metal rabbit targets.

· Archaeological Techniques Demonstration: The International Baccalaureate Students from Westwood High School will demonstrate the basic excavation techniques used by archaeologists. Visitors can give it a try!

· Pump Drill Demonstration: Visitors can use a hand driven pump drill, used by the prehistoric Hohokam.

· Bolo Throw: An interactive demonstration where visitors can throw a bolo, used for hunting.

· Self Guided Mound Tour: Visitors can walk along the new interpretive trail. Signs and docents will be stationed at the interpretive points to answer visitor questions."

Information directly from an e-mail.