ANTH X436.5 - The Art and Science of Flintknapping

Course Description

Before tools were made from metal, they were made of stone through the ancient art of flintknapping. Flintknapping is manufacturing tools by breaking rocks in a systematic manner. Today, archaeologists, historic reconstructionists, teachers, and hobbyists keep the old technique alive. This weekend learning experience at the Desert Studies Center includes a combination of lectures and planned field activities such as:

• The heat treatment of silicious rocks
• Basic percussion biface reduction
• Basic pressure flaking, including notching
• The use of an atlatl
• The use of a single stave and self bow.

Students have the opportunity to haft what they manufacture (arrow point, dart point, or knife). The raw material and basic tools needed for making stone tools are provided. Detailed information on what to bring will be sent upon enrollment.