History will come alive this weekend through ancient artifacts.

The Vicksburg Indian Artifact Show hosted by the Magnolia State Archeological Society will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Vicksburg Convention Center, 1600 Mulberry St. Admission is $2, or free for those 14 and younger.

“No family will be charged more than $5,” said Bill Breidinger, president of the Magnolia State Archeological Society.

About 85 tables of Indian artifacts and 40 tables with Civil War artifacts will be on display for the public to view. Items like pottery, spears, axes and beads will be on display.

“Everything Native Americans used to survive,” Breidinger said.

He said the items date back to 16,000 B.C.— before the tribes were named. He said there are four basic time frames Paleo, Archaic, Woodland and Mississippian leading up to as recent as 1600 A.D.

“Just incredible works of art—well actually stone, most of it,” Breidinger said.

Members of the Magnolia State Archeological Society and other collectors who have contacted Breidinger to set up a display table will bring their collection of items to Vicksburg for the first time. Shows are set up by the society in Meridian, Tupelo and Corinth.

“These individual collectors come from about eight states and they bring their displays in and set up,” Breidinger said.

The collectors will visit Vicksburg mostly from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Louisiana. He said if the show was a success, he would reserve the convention center again for next year.

“And next year will probably be a lot bigger,” Breidinger said. He likes to have at least a couple months, if not three, to plan the show, but this time he only had about a month because of the show’s move from Brookhaven to Vicksburg. He needed to make sure the collectors would come before he reserved the venue.

“I had to plan it where it didn’t interfere with another show date because they have artifact shows all around the country at different times during the year,” Breidinger said.

The Magnolia State Archeological Society is a 130-member nonprofit organization that is part of the Central States Archaeological Societies. The society’s mission is to study, preserve and collect Native American Indian artifacts while also educating children about the history.

“We’re all the time looking for new members, which they can join at the show,” Breidinger said.

There are about five Indian artifact tables left for anyone who wants to display their items. To reserve a table, contact Breidinger at 601-635-3222.