International Archaeology Day 17 Oct 2026

Some discoveries start with a shovel. Others start with a drawing on a cave wall. International Archaeology Day celebrates both the detective work and the evidence behind them. Organised by the Archaeological Institute of America, this annual event began in 2011 and became International Archaeology Day in 2013 as participation expanded worldwide. Today, it brings archaeology closer to the public through talks, museum programmes, site visits, simulated digs and hands-on activities.

© Audrey Poree/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Widespread and long-eared
17 Oct 2023Spreadsheet Day
17 Oct 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
17 Oct 2025Rock River Falls, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

17 Jun 2024Green-crowned brilliant hummingbird
Reflecting the beauty of the Lakes
12 Dec 2024Poinsettia or Christmas flower
28 Dec 2024Green sea turtle
17 Mar 2024Saint Patricks Day
12 Feb 2026Darwin Day
23 Sep 2025Keel-billed toucan, Costa Rica
International Nurses Day
12 Jul 2026Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine, United States
A butterflys best friend
15 Sep 2024Stockholm Public Library, Sweden
25 May 2026Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan
18 May 2026International Museum Day
7 Oct 2025Autumn colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
10 Jun 2024The city of Osaka at night, Japan
More of a moustache than a beard?
Call of the wilderness
A pink moon over Arizona
19 Mar 2025A black heron canopy hunting in Botswana
9 Apr 2025Naxos, Cyclades, Greece
27 Oct 2024British Summer Time ends
6 May 2026Thunderstorm above the plains, Bulgaria
Kick-off in Qatar
12 Apr 2026International Day of Human Space Flight
Taking the long view
7 Apr 2026International Beaver Day
18 Apr 2024International Day for Monuments and Sites
20 Sep 2023Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
17 Sept 2026Santenay wine region, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
11 Dec 2023International Mountain Day