14th annnual Archaeology Roadshow returns to East Portland’s Gateway Discovery Park May 30

Celebrate the archaeology and history of our region at the Archaeology Roadshow taking place at East Portland’s Gateway Discovery Park (10520 NE Halsey St.) on Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The 2026 Archaeology Roadshow will feature over 30 exhibits and hands-on activities hosted by archaeologists, and community members from universities, Tribes, governmental agencies, archaeology companies, museums and nonprofit cultural organizations. This family-friendly event introduces visitors of all ages to local heritage and the science and art of archaeology and history in a fun, engaging way, while instilling
a sense of stewardship and respect for our diverse and complex history.

This year’s theme is “Fire & Water,” two things fundamental to the human story for all times and places. Our very existence depends on water – and all the plants and animals critical to our survival require water too. Fire is just as profound to the human experience – responsible for transforming the earth and shaping how humans interact with those landscapes. Fire keeps us warm, heats our food and gives us light. Of course fire can cause great harm but history and traditional knowledge teaches us that fire has been an important
positive force in the human story as well.

Come to the Archaeology Roadshow and learn first hand about ways human lives in our region, past and present, have been shaped by fire and water.

Here’s just a small sample of what visitors will learn and experience:

• ways our region’s Indigenous people engineered waterproofing technologies long before modern
  synthetic materials;
• how ancient Ice Age floods shaped Portland landscapes – leaving evidence you can see today;
• how Indigenous people and recent settlers skillfully managed water and fire in order to thrive in our
  watery and fire-prone region;
• how people have expressed their deep connections to water and fire through art and craft;
• build a fire using just friction and a bow-drill; and
• practice making stone tools or throwing a replica of an ancient spear

A panel of experts in archaeology and geology will be on hand to identify the personal objects visitors bring. Stone, bone, plant and historical items are welcome. Experts will do their best to determine the object’s age, possible function and anything else they can. Limit – 3 objects. No financial appraisals.

We will have a translator available for Spanish speakers. Gateway Discovery Park is ADA accessible, with designated parking along the perimeter of the park. Most of the exhibits and activities will take place on the large, flat grassy area, wheelchair accessible from NE Wasco St and NE 106 th Ave.

For more details, visit https://archaeologyroadshow.org/.