Flint Knapping Workshop
This course takes place in the woodland surrounding The Linklater Pavilion, Lewes Railway Land Wildlife Trust Head to our Eventbrite page to book your tickets: BOOK NOW Discover the ancient art of flint knapping Step back in time and learn the skills our ancestors used to create tools for survival! Join us for a hands-on, two-day flint knapping workshop where you’ll explore the fascinating world of prehistoric technology and create your own stone tools to take home. This immersive experience will deepen your understanding of human ingenuity and our connection to the natural world. What to expect Over the course of two days, you will uncover the geological secrets of flint and learn about the formation of flint and its unique properties that made it essential to early toolmakers. Handle ancient artefacts and explore real archaeological specimens from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, identifying key features and learning how ancient people shaped flint into a variety of tools. Create your own tools with expert guidance using authentic techniques to detach flakes from flint nodules, shape scrapers, and even create a hafted scraper using traditional materials like rawhide. Day One Highlights: Introduction to Flint: Get to know the history and properties of this essential material. Hands-On Toolmaking: Detach flakes, shape scrapers, and try your hand at bifacial working to replicate iconic tools like handaxes and spearheads. Tool School: Learn about the tools ancient people used, including hammerstones, antler hammers, and pressure flakers.
Day Two Highlights: Arrowhead Crafting: Make your own flint arrowhead using pressure flaking, then learn how to haft it using natural materials such as nettle fibres and pine resin glue. You’ll even carve a hazel rod using your handmade flint tools to assemble a complete arrow. Fire-Making Challenge: Try your hand at creating a Bronze Age-style strike-a-light and attempt to spark a fire using flint, iron pyrites, and tinder fungus.
Free Exploration: Spend time revisiting any of the techniques you've learned, with personalised guidance from our experts.
By the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a set of beautifully crafted tools, including: A hafted scraper A replica arrow A strike-a-light Why join us? This workshop is perfect for anyone with an interest in how we connected with our environment in the past, archaeology, ancient technology, or simply a desire to learn a fascinating new skill. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone with previous experience, our skilled instructors (Tristan and team) will guide you through every step of the process. Practical Information: All materials and tools will be provided. We recommend wearing comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for working with stone and natural materials. Lunch: Please plan to be in the woods all day so bring a packed lunch and snacks. Water bottles can be filled up at the Linklater Pavilion. Age Requirements: Suitable for ages 16+. Under 18's need to be accompanied by a paying adult. Join us for this rare opportunity to connect with the past in a beautiful natural setting, and walk away with unique, hand-crafted artefacts and a deep appreciation for ancient craftsmanship! Spaces are very limited, we highly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Head to our Eventbrite page to book your tickets: BOOK NOW
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