Try your hand at the ancient art of flint knapping and learn the skills our ancestors used to create tools for survival.
This hands-on course introduces the techniques used during the Stone Age to shape flint into useful implements such as hand axes, knives, arrowheads and other cutting tools. It is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in prehistory to gain a deeper understanding of how stone tools were made and the features that define them.
During the day you will be introduced to the traditional tools used for flint knapping and shown how and when to use them. Through clear demonstrations and practical guidance, you will learn how tools were produced across three key periods of the Stone Age – the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic.
You will be shown how to produce a hand axe, create a blade core for tools such as saws and burins, and use pressure flaking techniques to form finely shaped arrowheads. Throughout the day you will have the opportunity to practise these skills yourself, and you will be able to take home the items you create.
The course starts at 9:30am and finishes at 4:00pm. Please do not arrive before 9:00am, as this allows time for the team to prepare the site before the day begins.
The course takes place near Barnham on the A134 between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford. Arrive at Barnham crossroads and turn into the village of Barnham. Drive through the village towards Euston, and the gateway will be on the left-hand side approximately half a mile after leaving Barnham. You can also navigate using What3Words:
https://w3w.co/koala.hedgehog.suggested
This course is self-catered, so please bring a packed lunch or snacks for the day. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.
Please wear warm outdoor clothing, ideally thermals, as the course takes place outside and it may be cold depending on the weather.
The group course is available for £130 per person.