Visitors to Poverty Point World Heritage Site will have a chance to step into ancient history Saturday, Jan. 17, during a handson, ranger-led workshop focused on one of humanity’s earliest hunting tools.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., registered participants will learn how to create an atlatl, an ancient spear-throwing device used by early peoples thousands of years ago.
A park ranger will guide participants through the construction process inside and around the site’s archaeological laboratory, and attendees will have the opportunity to test their completed tools following the workshop.
Participation is limited to 10 people, and attendees must be at least 14 years old. Advance registration is required and can be completed by calling 318-926-5492 or emailing povertypoint_int3@crt. la.gov.
The workshop complements the site’s broader mission of preserving and interpreting the massive earthworks built between 1700 and 1100 BCE by Indigenous communities in the lower Mississippi Valley. Poverty Point offers visitors access to a museum, film theater, hiking trail, driving tour and interpretive programs with regular admission.
General admission is $6. Seniors receive a discounted rate of $4, and children ages 6 and under are admitted free. Rangerguided tram tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday for $4 per person, with no charge for children 6 and under.
Poverty Point is located at 6859 Highway 577 in Pioneer.
The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, call 888-926-5492 or 318-926-5492.
