Paleo-Olympics offers ancient activities

Complete with ancient activities and demonstrations like Medieval rugby and sword fighting, the seventh annual Paleo-Olympics will take place Friday, September 18, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on the Kirkhof Center lawn near the Cook Carillon Tower on the Allendale Campus.

The student-run Paleo-Olympics is an annual compilation of events that brings together the Grand Valley community for a day of learning about the past. 

“It started years ago with a group of professors and students getting together to have some fun trying out these ancient games and things grew from there,” said Melissa Morison, associate professor of classics. “The event is for everyone with an interest in archaeology, history or really any aspect of the past.”

Those in attendance can delve into archery, spinning thread from raw wool, making stone tools, fencing, medieval armor demonstrations and many ancient games.

Selena Soto, a senior anthropology major, said this year she is excited for one particular demonstration new to the Paleo-Olympics.

“I am really looking forward to the divination demonstration,” Soto said. “Professor Melissa Morison will be doing a liver reading and professor Charles Ham will be analyzing the behavior of chickens to determine omens about the future.”

Below is a full schedule of activities:

• 11 a.m.-noon - Opening welcome, games and crafts
• noon-1 p.m. - Ancient spinning and weaving demonstration
• 1-2 p.m. - Games and crafts
• 2-3 p.m. - Ancient Roman divination demonstration
• 3-4 p.m. - Archery demonstration, games

The Paleo-OIympics is sponsored by The Archaeology Club, Classics Society, History Club, Fencing Club and Anthropology Club.

For more information, contact Morison at [email protected] or (616) 331-3231