Speciality Tour: Above-Ground Archaeology

Not only is history all around us, but also we are creating it every day. Need proof? Let's take a walk around Ruthmere grounds and the neighborhood and observe the small and simple puzzle pieces that tell us a story of something that happened.

Above-ground archaeology involves studying archaeological evidence that is visible on the surface. This includes standing buildings, ruins, or even subtle changes in vegetation. There exist in the immediate vicinity of Ruthmere Campus a number of above-ground archaeological resources.

For this program, we are going to take you on a pedestrian survey, where you will be able to walk a real historic site and observe the archaeology that surrounds us everyday. Test your observation skills, examine the landscape and aerial photography, and put together the pieces of history so that YOU can tell the story of what happened in this place over time.

Participants use Bingo Cards to spot certain surface features and then complete a short creative writing exercise that relates to features they've encountered.

This program is supported through a Historic Preservation Education grant from Indiana Humanities.