PRIEST RAPIDS DAM — The Grant County PUD will sponsor its annual look at the science and techniques of archaeology Wednesday and Thursday at the Wanapum Heritage Center at Priest Rapids Dam. Youth Day begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the heritage center, and Adult Day starts at 9 a.m. Thursday.

The heritage center is located at 29082 Highway 243 South, about 1.5 miles south of Desert Aire. The turnoff is at the Priest Rapids Dam entrance.

Archaeology Days are sponsored by the heritage center and the PUD’s Cultural Resource Department.

Youth Day starts with a short explanation of archaeology and its techniques. That’s followed by an entire day of presentations and workshops.

Children will learn about flintknapping, processing deer hide, making mats from tule reed, how a canoe is constructed. There will be a demonstration of the classic spear-throwing device called an atlatl. The heritage center has exhibits highlighting Wanapum history, culture and philosophy. Storytelling and skits are planned.

There will be an exhibit of birds of prey, and a presentation on native plants. Solar cars will race, PUD line crews will demonstrate what they do, and there will be a presentation by the Wanapum River Patrol.

Adult Day features many of the same demonstrations and presentations, along with lectures on a number of archaeological topics.

Lectures are about 45 minutes, beginning at 9:15 a.m. Bill Layman will talk about the ancient petroglyphs and pictographs that are now covered by the waters behind Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams.

At 10 a.m., Matthew Johnson will discuss the plants found at archaeological sites at Hole in the Wall Canyon and French Rapids. Demonstrations, displays and exhibits will be open at 10:45 a.m., with an 11:15 a.m. presentation by the river patrol. The lunch break is noon to 1:15 p.m.

Some of the findings and materials from a site in the Horse Heaven Hills associated with Ice Age floods will be discussed at 1:15 p.m. David Rice is the speaker. Walking trails and hiking opportunities beyond Priest Rapids will be the subject of a 2 p.m. lecture by Mark DeLeon. A break to visit the exhibits is scheduled for 2:45 p.m., with the last lecture of the day at 3:15 p.m. Christine Brown will discuss the challenges facing native treaty rights.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.