NILES — Over the course of the weekend, hundreds flocked to the Fort St. Joseph archaeological dig site to immerse themselves in the 18th Century, when furs were sold and traded and the St. Joseph River served as an important travel thoroughfare.

The Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Open House took place between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event was free and open to the public. Those who visited the site of the 18th Century fort could explore the dig site, where college students and community members spent weeks excavating. They could see the hundreds of artifacts unearthed and learn about the process of extracting the artifacts.

People could also check out a Living History Village and ride along the St. Joseph River in a 36-foot voyageur canoe. Live music and dancing were also among the many features of the open house.

College students who took part in the Archaeological Field School, which is managed by Western Michigan University, were also at the open house to answer various questions.

Kaylee Hagemann, a Western Michigan University student who took part in the dig, showed people the process of wet screening to find artifacts. Dumping part of a bucket of dirt onto a hanging screen, Hagemann sprayed water on the dirt and began carefully looking for anything additional.

Hagemann said she hoped the open house gave people about idea about what archaeology is all about.

“A lot of people don’t know what archaeology is. They think it is like ‘Indiana Jones’ stuff or maybe we are digging up dinosaurs,” Hagemann said. “Just getting people involved and learning about what is in their own backyard, because a lot of people had no idea.”

Once they become engaged, Hagemann said they might want to get involved, like taking part in next year’s summer camps – where local residents have the chance to help experts and students look for artifacts.

“Not all the archaeology is in Egypt of Rome. Sometimes it’s right in your own backyard,” Hagemann said.

Not far from where Hagemann stood wet screening, Niles residents Tim Davis and his father, Joseph Davis and son, 3-year-old Toby Davis, took in the sites.

Tim said this is the first time he and his family have visited the Fort St. Joseph. Tim is a mushroom hunter, and said he saw a sign advertising the fort open house while he was looking for mushrooms.

“[We’ve] enjoyed seeing all the history and we enjoy that Niles is doing this for the community,” Tim said.

Tim said he and his family were looking forward to continuing to explore the dig site throughout the afternoon.

The Fort St. Joseph was founded Oct. 1, 1686, by Jesuits. The fort served as a trading post and military garrison. Control of the area shifted from French to British to native groups and briefly the Spanish, up until 1781.