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Join in on the fun at the 24th annual Ancient Technology Day!
Join in on the fun and discover technologies with hand-on activities! Bring the entire family to S’edav Va’aki Museum’s (SVM) 24th annual Ancient Technology Day on Saturday, March 14th, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Annually, SVM blends fun, culture, and technology by hosting a wide array of demonstrators to provide our guests with a richer understanding of Arizona’s unique history and environment. Visitors of all ages will learn about skills and technologies inspired by the practices of the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People. Guests can hone their flint knapping skills, try their hand at throwing an atlatl spear, and more with the Study of Ancient Lifeways and Technologies (S.A.L.T). Other demonstrations include skills such as basket weaving, gourd pendants, and ceramic pottery. Harmony Animal Behavior returns to share why parrots are important to the archaeological site at SVM.
Other engaging activity stations demonstrate skills from early European settlers. Ever wondered how people made bobbin lace or wove blankets? Well, learn more with our special guests the Lacey Ladies of Arizona and the Teleraña Fiber Arts Guild! And don’t forget to stop by the adobe brick station where guests can make and take home their own custom bricks. Join a Va’aki (platform mound) tour at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, or 1 pm, see our artifact show-and-tell stations, and don’t miss the “Detective Archaeology” station.
New to Ancient Technology Day is a special Agents of Discovery mission as part of the Arizona Explorer campaign. A new regional initiative is combining technology and outdoor education to engage Arizona kids in a big way. The Arizona Explorer Campaign, powered by Agents of Discovery®, is transforming public spaces across the region into dynamic learning environments using augmented reality (AR).
From SVM to Arizona State University - Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, participating partners are hosting interactive educational “Missions” on the free Agents of Discovery app. The app challenges kids—called “Agents”—to complete STEM- and nature-based challenges while exploring local parks, hubs, and landmarks. Click here to download the app!
Grab a bite to eat from The Rez: An Urban Eatery during Ancient Technology Day. The Rez will sell delicious indigenous foods, including Navajo taco, frybreads, and various blue corn dishes.
All Ancient Technology Day activities are included with museum admission. Visit phoenix.gov/SVmuseum or call (602) 495-0901 for more information.
