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Monday, August 8, 2011

Flint knapping

There was an Early Technology day at the Mabee Farm this weekend.  We got to see some very interesting things; throwing a spear with an atlatl, tanning a hide with smoke, making a dugout canoe by filling with embers and... flint knapping.

Knapping is the art and science of turning a rock into a sharp tool.  It was an eye-opener to watch Barry working to make a knife from stone by using stone and antler.  That's his hand in the foreground.  He's using antler here to knock flakes off the larger piece. My youngest, in the background, is pressure flaking an arrowhead.  I gave it a whirl, and very quickly broke the piece I was working on.  I did manage to salvage an arrowhead out of it by being careful and watching Barry.

A wonderful day, and a wonderful experience.





F Number5.6
Lens ID-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time1/40
Exposure ProgramProgram AE
ISO400
Exposure Compensation0
FlashOff, Did not fire

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