Contact:
Chris Papaianni, Department of Archaeology, 778.782.4687, papaianni@sfu.ca
Gail Anderson, School of Criminology, 778.782.3589, ganderso@sfu.ca
Adam Ovenell-Carter, PAMR, 604.218.3618, aovenell@sfu.ca
Fiona Burrows, PAMR, 778.782.3928, fiona@sfu.ca

Photos on Flickr

For fans of the social sciences, there will be plenty of entertainment at Simon Fraser University’s Open House on Saturday, May 26, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Burnaby campus.

SFU’s Archaeology Department is giving visitors the chance to perform their very own excavations, while its School of Criminology will present an alternative art form—featuring maggots and paint.

The aptly named 'I Dig Archaeology' event will create interest and curiosity in SFU's archaeological research initiatives through the use of creative academic and artifact displays, and hands-on activities.

“Archaeology becomes new and innovative in today's world because we can use evidence from the past to inform our current circumstances, and anticipate environmental consequences of human activities,” says Chris Papaianni, department manager and academic advisor.

Participants will be testing their own ability to excavate artifacts and learn the proper techniques to do so using authentic tools—with prizes at stake including plenty of archaeology apparel.

The exhibit showcases the school’s fieldwork from across the globe ranging in fields from historical archaeology, evolution and bio-anthropology, and forensics, to name a few.

It won’t be the only event that touches on forensic science, however.

In what has become an Open House favourite, paint-covered maggots will star in the criminology department’s showcase at the Centre for Forensic Research.

“The reason we do maggot art is really just for fun. It attracts people from all ages to our booth so we can tell them about forensic science and the cutting edge work we are doing here in our state-of-the-art facility,” says Gail Anderson, the school’s associate director and a forensic entomologist.

“It gets people over the ‘ick’ factor of maggots so we can get them thinking about forensic entomology.”

And when it’s all said and done, participants get to take home a piece of art they wouldn’t get anywhere else.

“It is truly engaging with the people in our community,” adds Anderson.

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