Discus throwing competitions, relay races and sword fighting; just your average day on Grand Valley’s campus. The laughter and applause of students rang so loud that it overpowered the construction of our new library.

Last Friday morning marked the beginning of the fourth annual Paleo-Olympic Games and with this year’s games providing more events than any year before, everyone was eager to get involved.

The Paleo-Olympic games are an annual compilation of events that conclude Archaeology week. The games, as well as archaeology week, are co-sponsored by the Anthropology Club, the Classics Society, Archaeology Club, and the History club.

The games were opened with a divination ceremony where Archaeology Club advisor Melissa Morison did a demonstration of an ancient ritual where she read the liver of a cow to communicate with the Gods, as the ancients did in their time. Morison examined the liver as a fellow student asked her “how will our football team do this weekend?” To Morison’s dismay, the liver was infected. Sorry Lakers.

After the inauguration of the games, students had the option of participating in a roman ball game, pottery reconstruction, or finger-painting. The pottery reconstruction and finger-painting were great ways for students to be in a less energetic setting but still be able to communicate with one another and learn together.

Once the games were underway more events developed as more students began to wander their way over to participate. A hoplite relay race began where up to 8 students per team tied their legs together to form a human chain as they raced other groups to the finish line.

“It’s well organized and fun. I like that there is something for everyone,” said Grand Valley freshman Brieanne Hancock, who participated in many of the events herself.

After a good couple rounds of games a member of the GVSU wrestling team came to demonstrate Greco-Roman wrestling styles, techniques and fun moves. A demonstration of pottery making was also provided, where students could learn how to make pinch pots and see different examples of ancient pottery techniques and history.

“We want to get people into the spirit of archaeology. This event isn’t exclusive to one particular group or major. We want everyone to get involved,” said Anthropology club officer, Kevin Gurski. “These events are a way students can take them from the past and into the present, because they’re still relevant. They’re not boring!”

Children, students, and professors alike all joined in on the events, one of the most popular of the morning being the atlatl throwing and flint knapping. Professor Dr. Mark Schwartz demonstrated the techniques of throwing the atlatl and the flint knapping, and allowed all who were interested to try it out for themselves.

Other game events included a swordsmanship demonstration by GVSU fencing club members, as well as sword fighting, an ancient scripts demonstration, and a medieval ball game. Each event was fun as well as educational, a way for students to learn about the history of the Greek, Roman, and Egyptian histories without being stuck in a lecture hall.

“It’s a great way for the students to come and just have fun with us and enjoy these last few nice days of summer, while learning about archaeology.” Morison said as she beamed at the students, clearly glad at how the events were playing out.

Students who are interested in getting involved with any of these groups can check out gvsu.edu/stuey for more information on how to get in contact with the officers as well as the individual group websites.

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