San Diego Archaeological Center

We're stringing our bows for a spot of archery featuring fresh hay bale targets right here at the San Diego Archaeological Center! Shoot some rounds and learn about how different cultures around the world crafted, hunted, and fought with bows and arrows. This event is family friendly. Kids will enjoy a supervised range at the front of the museum all to themselves, with an adults-only range for more powerful bows in the back. No previous experience required. Please bring your own gear if possible. A limited amount of gear will be available to borrow - first come, first served. Cost: $15; SDAC Members Free

Discover how a 3D modeling project at San Diego State University is bringing a historic collection of Mesoamerican masks into the digital age. This in-person lecture will explore how these digital models are enhancing teaching and public interpretation while tracing the deep history of masks as ritual, funerary, and ceremonial objects in ancient societies like Teotihuacan. The presentation will also examine how these traditions endure today in community practices such as danzas, offering a look at the ongoing cultural significance of masks across centuries of change. Cost: Pay what you wish Registration is closed. Please pay at door. About the Presenters: Keith Chan is a local anthropology instructor at Grossmont College, MiraCosta College, and SDSU. He is especially interested in using immersive technology in his teaching to bring students face-to-face with culture and biology. He created the virtual anthropology museum AnVRopomotron, which won the first Poly Award for Best Educational Experience, and is working on PaleoCalifornia, which turns the Pleistocene into a virtual reality theme park ride. He was also a recent research fellow at SDSU's Virtual Immersive Learning and Teaching center, in which he launched the current project on masks. Irene Gonzalez received her M.A. in Latin American Studies from SDSU, where her research focused on cultural preservation. Her work has explored the importance of community museums, specifically in Mexico, where she conducted field research in Oaxaca. She is currently the Collections Coordinator for the Mesoamerican Mask Collection at SDSU’s Center for Latin American Studies. Irene is passionate about bridging technology and cultural heritage in ways that are equitable and grounded in deep respect for Indigenous knowledge systems.  

We're stringing our bows for a spot of archery featuring fresh hay bale targets right here at the San Diego Archaeological Center! Shoot some rounds and learn about how different cultures around the world crafted, hunted, and fought with bows and arrows. This event is family friendly. Kids will enjoy a supervised range at the front of the museum all to themselves, with an adults-only range for more powerful bows in the back. No previous experience required. Please bring your own gear if possible. A limited amount of gear will be available to borrow - first come, first served. Cost: $15; SDAC Members Free

We're stringing our bows for a spot of archery featuring fresh hay bale targets right here at the San Diego Archaeological Center! Shoot some rounds and learn about how different cultures around the world crafted, hunted, and fought with bows and arrows. This event is family friendly. Kids will enjoy a supervised range at the front of the museum all to themselves, with an adults-only range for more powerful bows in the back. No previous experience required. Please bring your own gear if possible. A limited amount of gear will be available to borrow - first come, first served. Cost: $15; SDAC Members Free

Join us for an afternoon of food, lively entertainment, and a gathering of San Diego’s archaeological community. Back by popular demand, we’re serving up all-you-can-eat carne asada, pollo asada, carnitas, and jackfruit adovada tacos from Frida’s Taqueria. Sip colorful agua frescas from Frida's, craft beer from Pizza Port, and local wine from Rancho Guejito Vineyard at our open bar while you enjoy live music from Probable Caws. Test your aim at our archery and atlatl range for all ages, enter our opportunity drawing for a chance to win cool prizes, and meet our newest staff and board members. Students can connect with professional archaeologists from local CRM firms. Proceeds from this event provide funding for the Center’s programming and preservation efforts. We hope to see you there! Cost: $50; SDAC Members $40 (pre-sale only); Students $20; Tribal Members $20; Kids 12 & under: $15 Pre-sale has ended. Please purchase tickets at door. The Center is looking for generous individuals and businesses to support the BBQ. For more information, see our BBQ Sponsorship page. Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors!