"In the seemingly little and insignificant things that accumulate to create a lifetime, the essence of our existence is captured."
—James Deetz, from In Small Things Forgotten
 CC Image courtesy of romeo66 on Flickr
One of the most famous archeological discoveries, for better or for worse, is the discovery of Tutankhamen's Tomb. Here, Egyptologist Howard Carter, 'struck dumb with amazement,' describes the scene within:
"...as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold—everywhere the glint of gold... Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense any longer, inquired anxiously, 'Can you see anything?' It was all I could do to get out the words, 'Yes, wonderful things.'”
But not all that glitters is gold—and vice versa. In fact, most archeological discovery depends on the everyday bits and pieces as much as, if not a great deal more, than that which glints of gold.
Look around you now. What will remain in a century? Two centuries? A millennium? You'd be surprised...
October is Texas Archeology Month, so in addition to checking out the experiences and attractions we recommend below, use this occasion to consider the everyday items around you and regard them as the future artifacts that they are.
We're looking at you, dental floss dispenser.
 Bertha Dutton, Marjorie Lambert, Jean Cady, Hulda Hobbs at Alibates site near Amarillo, Texas, ca. 1941. HP.1992.31.21b.
Oh look, another pumpkin patch post on your social media feed.... Why not be different and post yourself waist-high in a clay pit?! Firsthand experiences of excavated and restored sites and encounters with the artifacts recovered can be found throughout the state.
Explore your adventurous side and travel by theme on Texas Time Travel to add archeological attractions and experiences to your next trip.
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Speaking of bits and pieces, we're captivated by the Instagram account @LegoLostAtSea by British writer and beachcomber Tracey Williams.
Her artfully arranged collections of colorful plastic doodads and thingamabobs are enough to move the editors of Current Archeology to wonder out loud on the magazine's cover: "Is this archeology?"
In Williams' book, Adrift, you can read more about the nearly five million pieces of sea-themed LEGO bricks that washed ashore in Cornwall in 1997.
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Texas Archeology Month events are held all across the state and online throughout the month of October. Most are family-friendly and include events such as Archeology Days with hands-on activities and demonstrations, take-home activity kits, museum tours and special exhibits, lectures and presentations, history walks, and more.
Find an event near you and order your pinch pot activity kits, which come with clay, tools for decorating, and a handout with links to online resources.
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