Over 50 people enjoyed a presentation by Merle Frommelt Saturday evening, June 6, 2009, at Wyalusing State Park. The evening, although cool and breezy, was enjoyed by the adults and children in attendance.

Merle, a past Prairie du Chien educator, is an interpretive ranger at Effigy Mounds State Park. Merle and his wife brought artifacts that were used to illustrate how prehistoric people of the area hunted, lived, and made it through life during prehistoric times.

The artifacts were used to illustrate techniques of hunting, gardening, harvesting crops and everyday living needs. Merle showed a reproduction of an atalatal, a device created to accelerate the throwing of a spear. The atalatal enabled prehistoric people to throw a spear over 300 yards, with accuracy.

He explained how archaeological findings in Effigy Mounds National Park were used to study the culture of the mound builders. He went on to tell how the ‘re-internment’ of artifacts was done by the Native Americans of today.

The free event was sponsored by The Friends of Wyalusing State Park. The Friends group is sponsoring other events during the Summer.