Native American History in the Lagunas - March 24, 2012

The San Diego Archaeological Center (Center), in partnership with the Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center (KIIC), are proud to sponsor a historic walk through the Laguna/El Prado Campground on Saturday, March 24, 2012. Steve Harvey, Heritage and Tribal Relations Program Manager for Cleveland National Forest has offered to spend the day hiking in the nearby Lagunas telling us the story of the first people who lived in the area. We will be visiting their ancient village sites where Steve will describe the chronological history of ancient civilizations and how they lived and survived.  

Steve has a Masters in Anthropology with a focus in archaeology, 20 years of experience working in and studying the archaeology of the local area, and has had the privilege of working with many members of the local Luiseño and Kumeyaay Native American communities as part of his cultural resource management career.

This field trip is geared for those who want to experience and learn about San Diego's indigenous people in their homeland, where and how they lived, and who they were. This is a great class for docents or those studying local native cultures.

The historical tour will meet at the Laguna/El Prado Campground at a group site. The hike will leave at 9am and ends at 2pm. The hike is four miles and mostly on public trails. Refreshments will be available at the beginning of the program. Please bring a lunch and wear appropriate clothes and shoes for a hike in the woods.

Reservations for this hike are required and will be limited to the just 30 hikers. The fee for members of the Center or KIIC is $10; the nonmember fee is $15. Please send your payment to the San Diego Archaeological Center at 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, 92027. For more information, please contact Dan Cannon (KIIC) at 858-922-8043 or Annemarie Cox (Center) at 760-291-0370 or via email: acox@sandiegoarchaeology.org.   

The San Diego Archaeological Center was created in 1993 to provide an archaeological curation facility for the San Diego Region. The Center was the first nonprofit organization in the nation dedicated solely to curating and sharing archaeological collections with the public. Planning is underway to create a spacious and light-filled lobby, enhanced exhibition space, classroom, library and research areas. A new entryway will feature native plant landscaping designed to promote conservation, outdoor exhibit and seating areas, water elements and improved signage to promote the Center as a regional tourist destination.

The Mission of the San Diego Archaeological Center is "to preserve archaeological collections and promote their educational, scientific and cultural use to benefit a diverse public."