On Saturday, April 19 2008, as part of SIUe's 50th anniversary celebration, the Anthropology Department hosted a mock excavation for kids of all ages.  One sandbox contained toys for little kids; a second sandbox contained real artifacts for older kids.  Kids were allowed to keep one toy each, but of course we didn't give away any artifacts.  The first 50 kids who successfully completed the "excavation" also received an Archaeology Diploma (until we ran out of them!).  A total of 60 or 70 kids came, and they all had a good time (except maybe the girl who dropped her banana in the sand box).  Thanks again to all the Anthropology students and alumni who helped with the excavation.  Thanks also to all the parents who brought their budding archaeologists out to work with us.  Stay tuned: we might do this again some September to celebrate Illinois Archaeology Month.