You may have seen "arrowheads" and other ancient stone tools on exhibit in museums—this is your chance to make and use them! In this workshop, you will learn about the history and art of flint knapping: producing stone tools with sharp edges by percussion and pressure. This type of tool use predates modern humans by at least 1.5 million years, as discovered by UConn scientist Dr. Cara Roure-Johnson. Learn how archaeologists identify and date these tools, what properties make materials appropriate for use in this type of tool manufacture, and discover the many different types of sharp-edged stone tools used by our ancestors.
Through experimentation, and observation of the people who still manufacture and use these tools, we now have a good understanding of this ancient technology. Today, there are many individuals and organizations devoted to knapping. Learn how to use some of these tools for woodworking and food preparation. Then, you will flint-knap to create tools yourself! Try your hand at this type of stone tool manufacture under the guidance of UConn archaeologist and "knapper" Heather Cruz in this exciting workshop.
Presented by the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and Connecticut Archaeology Center, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UConn. 860-486-4460 - www.mnh.uconn.edu.
Heather Cruz, Anthropology, UConn
Dr. Cara Roure-Johnson, Anthropology, UConn
Advance registration required: $20 ($15 for Museum member) Includes materials
Adults and children ages 12 and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
