International Archaeology Day

Today, dig deep and unearth your inner Indiana Jones or Lara Croft on International Archaeology Day. Started in 2011, it occurs on the third Thursday in October, celebrating archaeology's benefits for society today. Global events include exhibits and hands-on excavations, some of which run throughout the month, and many US national and state parks, historic landmarks, and local museums also hold events. Check the Archaeological Institute of America's website to find one near you.
One early adopter of International Archaeology Day was Egypt, in which the Temple of Hathor's ceiling can be seen in today's image. Part of the Dendera Temple Complex in Qena, Egypt, Hathor is one of the best preserved ancient Egyptian temples. While the current temple dates to Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VII (around 50 BCE), evidence suggests that previous temples dedicated to Hathor, an Egyptian goddess of love and fertility, go back thousands of years earlier.
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