The world-famous Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA, where 75 working archaeologists analyze and store their findings, invites the public to its annual open house. Among other attractions, visitors can ponder the actual tools that gave the Stone Age its name, witness a technique for identifying ancient diets using the bones of contemporary animals and discover how charcoal is used to deduce the agricultural practices of the past. In all, 16 labs will showcase their archaeological projects, from sites as nearby as the Channel Islands and Mojave Desert and as distant as Easter Island and Jerusalem. Three renowned Cotsen archaeologists will also give brief presentations on their work.

 

In addition, the Fowler Museum at UCLA, which houses the Cotsen Institute, will offer public tours of its new exhibition, "Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and Its Diasporas," at 2 and 3:30 p.m. The Fowler explores art and culture from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas.

 

1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10

 

The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology is located on the basement level of the Fowler Museum at UCLA, on the northern edge of the UCLA campus.

 

Admission to the Cotsen Institute and Fowler Museum is free. Parking is available in Lot 4 for $8.

 

For information, call (310) 206-8934 or visit www.ioa.ucla.edu.

 

Meg Sullivan, (310) 825-1046, msullivan@support.ucla.edu