weekend course

flint knapping weekend

location: nr Swindon, Wiltshire

Ever wanted to learn how our ancestors used to make their hunting weapons? Well now’s your chance!

You will spend the weekend learning the ancient art of flint knapping, where you will be taught how to craft many prehistoric tools such as hand-axes, arrow heads and hide scrapers from flint. You will spend the first day getting to grips with how to work the flint and be shown the techniques of using hard hammer (quartzite pebbles) and soft hammer (antler) on flint nodules to create some wonderful unique flint blades. Our guest instructor Karl Lee will guide and introduce you to the tools that are used for knapping flint.

The second day, you will refine your knapping techniques and will produce a blade which you will in turn use to make your Atlatl point (spear head). You will then be taken out into the woodland and will select a suitable piece of hazel for the shaft of the atlatl spear. Using flint tools you will then harvest the wood and the craft your atlatl: the spear thrower of prehistory and the forerunner of the bow and arrow. You will then be guided through how to secure the flint blade to the shaft using natural bindings and pine resin glue and will finish off by adding fletchings.

Everything you make over the weekend, you will be welcome to take home with you. All equipment will be provided, including the primitive flint-knappers tool kit, protective goggles and of course the flint!

Over the course of the weekend you will learn:-

  • Flint selection
  • Tools used for flint knapping
  • Percussion flaking
  • Pressure flaking
  • Techniques to craft tools from flint
  • Game preparation using flint tools
  • Understand, produce and use natural bindings
  • How to use natural glue to secure your fletchings
  • How to fletch an lightweight spear
  • Make an Atlatl (spear thrower)

dates: see 'book online' below

more on flintknapping

how to book:

  

if you can't open the booking form, you need Acrobat Reader - it's free
arrive:
  
for a 9.30am prompt start on Saturday
depart:
  
after 4pm when the course ends on Sunday
directions:
  
sent with booking confirmation
what to bring:
  
pen and notebook; suitable clothing
let us know:
  
if you have any special needs, including dietary
price:
  
£175
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £30 admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course
meals:
  
provided
car sharing:
  
visit our car sharing forum to offer or request a lift
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the venue is a woodland near Swindon in Wiltshire