Archeofest returns to Pinson Mounds State Park

PINSON, Tenn. — Archeofest returned to Pinson Mounds State Park this weekend, with kids from Caywood Elementary School attending demonstrations.

Park staff and others led demonstrations of methods Chickasaw and other southeastern tribes would have used to hunt for food, such as the atlatl, and games that were played at social gatherings.

“People were hunting mammoths with these things. This is a more modern version of it, but essentially, it’s like a lever you use to throw a little bit further. It just adds a bit more leverage so you can just sends it flying a little bit further than you would if you were throwing it with your arm,” said Pacen Adams, seasonal interpretive ranger with Tennessee State Parks.

Traditional games demonstrated

Games like Kapochcha To’li, commonly referred to as stickball in English, has three different forms of play.

The form of the game demonstrated at Archeofest was the ruleset used for a team of men playing against women. Men must use sticks similar to lacrosse, but women are allowed to use their hands to field the ball. Both teams have the goal of hitting a target several feet in the air.

“So when there’s any kind of a social gathering, it’s a way that the whole can come together and have a good time and just enjoy being around each other. The culture of Native America is the family and the community,” said Ace Greenwood, head man with Tushkahimita entertainment.

Archeofest continues Sunday. For more details and how to register, call the park at 731-988-5614.

This is the 43rd annual Archeofest. Registration is free.

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