Saturday, April 11
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Florida Public Archaeology Network from Pensacola will be demonstrating the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) while examining the Fort Walton Temple Mound. GPR uses radar pulses to image items located below the surface. This non-destructive method is most often used in archaeology to map changes in materials, determine site density, find the boundaries of features and locate items of interest in areas where standard excavation techniques are impossible or impractical. Visitors will be able to watch these studies as they take place.

The Emerald Coast Archaeological Society will be conducting artifact sorting demonstrations, University of West Florida underwater archaeologists will be on hand to talk about the Side-Scan Sonar which is used to locate underwater anomalies, Eglin Cultural Resources Management Branch will discuss archaeological diversity located on Eglin Air Force Base, and other archaeological groups will have table displays and information. Visitors are invited to bring artifacts to be identified by the professionals.

This event is sponsored by the Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center. For more information, contact the Florida Public Archaeology Network, 850-595-0050.

Activities will fill the grounds all day, including a pottery ground firing, wheel throwing, student competition, a children’s craft area, and gallery tours of the Indian Temple Mound Museum. Staff’s restaurant is providing seafood and beer with a portion of proceeds donated to the museum. The event is on rain or shine.

Heritage Park and Cultural Center is located at 139 Miracle Strip Parkway in historic downtown Fort Walton Beach.