Living Archaeology Weekend is an award-winning, immersive experience in Kentucky's famous Red River Gorge. Our event uses archaeological evidence to inform diverse demonstrations of the region's Native and Pioneer technologies and lifeways. Visitors learn about the area's rich cultural traditions and gain insights into past people's lives and experiences.
This FREE event is held every year on the third weekend in September at the Gladie Visitor Center, and we are thrilled to be celebrating our 35th anniversary in 2023. Our wide range of educational materials, including a new video series, support educators and students year-round.
"Many students talked about how intelligent the people from the past were.
How today we take so much for granted based upon the things these people figured out the hard way."
-POST-EVENT TEACHER FEEDBACK


LAW 2023
Help us celebrate our 35th anniversary! LAW 2023 will be held at the Gladie Visitor Center on Fri, Sept 15 (for registered school groups) and Sat, Sept 16 (open to the public).
EDUCATORS
Get Kentucky-focused, fact-based content aligned with state standards. And, find lessons and activities to engage students in learning about the technologies demonstrated at LAW.
STUDENTS
Learn how American Indians and Pioneers lived-- right here in Kentucky. What do you have in common with Kentucky kids from 200 years ago? What about 2,000 years ago?
GENERAL PUBLIC
Join us Sat, Sept 16 from 10am-5pm at the historic Gladie Visitor Center in the Red River Gorge where we'll explore the fascinating lives and cultures of those who paved the way for our modern lives.

"Learning about the past
is like walking down a beautiful road with knowledge trees."
-OLIVIA RUTH SHORT, 2013 LAW Student Essay Contest Winner




MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to help visitors connect to our past through meaningful, immersive experiences. At Living Archaeology Weekend, we challenge stereotypes about American Indians and Pioneer people by using real, on-site excavation data. We explore the contributions our ancestors made to our lives today-- and honor their legacy by preserving their stories and technologies for future generations.
