/ Modified apr 8, 2014 3:15 p.m.

Expo Teaches About Past Through Archeology

The annual event hosted by Arizona State Parks has been around for 32 years; highlights region's history.

The annual Archeology Expo has been educating the public on how scientists research Arizona's past for 32 years.

"Arizona really cares a lot about its archeology and historical resources," said Kris Dobschuetz, event organizer and archeological compliance specialist at Arizona State Parks. "That is pretty rare for a lot of the different states."

The event, put together by Arizona State Parks, teaches people about the past through guided tours of archeological sites, information booths, lectures and plenty of hands-on activities.

Many feel it is important to educate people about the archeology, especially Southern Arizona, where its are surrounded by history.

“In the Tucson area, it’s important because archeology is in everyone’s back yard,” said local archeologist Matt Peeples. “This is one of the densest parts of the southwest in terms of human occupation going well back into the past, and it’s important for people to know that so they can know what’s around and work towards preserving some of these remains.”

The annual expo rotates among locations south of the Mogollon Rim. This year it was held at Catalina State Park.

This location was ideal, since it offered a variety of archeological sites nearby, ranging from ancient ruins of the Hohokam to what is left of a ranch dating back to the post-Civil War era.

“I hope that one of the main things people will take away from this is just that they are surrounded by the remains of people who were here before them,” said Peeples, who spent the day leading tours through the Romero Ruins. "And that they’ll appreciate those remains and want to protect them for the long term.”

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