YSU Archaeology students participate in West Virginia Archaeology Day

Monday, October 13, 2025
12 students from YSU posing in front of their display for West Virginia Archaeology Day at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville, West Virgina
YSU students Delani Berkson, Abigal Faix, Chris Cremers, Emily McNett, Vanessa Welker, Curtis Nelson, Mitch McTigue, Michael Vinkler, Kelly Baer, Chase Pastor, Darcy McTigue and Jessica Carano

For the fourth year in a row, Youngstown State University Archaeology students were invited to participate in West Virginia Archaeology Day at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville, West Virgina. Grave Creek is the repository for all of West Virginia's archaeology collections.

Darcy McTigue, Kelly Baer, Michael Vinkler, Delani Berkson and Mitch McTigue listen as Archaeological Curator Olivia Jones, explains the curation process.
Darcy McTigue, Kelly Baer, Michael Vinkler, Delani Berkson and Mitch McTigue listen as Archaeological Curator Olivia Jones, explains the curation process.

Thomas Delvaux, instructor and archaeologist in the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education, and 12 students made the trip.

Vanessa Welker answers questions from some of the younger visitors at the display.
Vanessa Welker answers questions from some of the younger visitors at the display.

They engaged with visitors, presenting an artifact display and photo board highlighting some of YSU's projects and trips. Students also worked in the repository curating artifacts for the state archaeologist, in the archaeology lab washing artifacts and as docents manning the museum displays and sections.

Every October the complex holds a celebration in honor of West Virginia's Archaeology Day to host educational events such as flint-knapping demonstrations, museum scavenger hunts, atlatl throwing and artifactual displays.