Town Creek Indian Mound announces that a weeklong archaeological project, conducted by East Carolina University and the Research Laboratories of Archaeology at UNC Chapel Hill, will be conducted at the site.

Excavations will begin Monday, June 22, and continue through Friday, June 26. Visitors will have an opportunity to observe the archaeological process in action and interact with the project archaeologists.

The project will involve excavating three previously opened 10 x 10-foot units and working to expose up to seven more. The purpose is to completely unearth and map features of a structure outside of the stockade presumed to be a house. With improved techniques and technology, archaeologists hope to glean more information from this structure than they were able to do in those excavated in the 1950s and '60s. This information should give researchers a better idea of how the structures were used and for how long.

In recent years all field work at the site has involved re-excavating units within the stockade. However, this will be the first time a structure outside of the stockade has been excavated in its entirety at Town Creek and marks the first new work conducted since 1987.

This event is free and open to the public. The Friends of Town Creek Indian Mound is asking for volunteers to assist with this project. Those interested should contact the site at (910) 439-6802.

The mission of Town Creek Indian Mound is to interpret the history of the American Indians who once lived here. The visitor center features interpretive exhibits, as well as audiovisual displays. A national historic landmark, Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site is North Carolina's only state historic site dedicated to American Indian heritage. Tour groups are welcome and encouraged. The site is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. It is closed to the public Mondays and most major holidays.

The historic site is located on Town Creek Mound Road approximately five miles east of Mt. Gilead, in southern Montgomery County between N.C. 73 and N.C. 731.

For more information on Town Creek, visit www.towncreek.nchistoric sites.org/.