Flint Knapping for kids (and parents/carers!) - Take part in an archaeological experiment with the team from UCL.
Thursday 20th February 2020
20 minute session available between 11 and 3pm on a first come first served basis. Sign up to take part when you arrive at Butser.
Normal admission prices apply.
Suitable for children aged between 7 and 14. Each child must be accompanied by a participating adult for the duration of the activity/ experiment.
As part of our ongoing research partnership with UCL Institute of Archaeology we are excited to be welcoming researchers this February half term to conduct research on flint knapping amongst adults and children.
The UCL team are looking for willing participants to join this exciting study where you will be taught the basics of flintknapping. The opportunity will allow you and your child to learn about Palaeolithic knapping techniques used to create stone tools and you will each produce 5 flakes from a flint core using the knapping techniques you will be taught. The researchers will then take away the results of your flintknapping for archaeological analysis!
No experience is required and results will be anonymised. Safety equipment will be provided but please wear trousers, long-sleeved tops and closed-toe shoes. A full safety briefing will be given before the session and you will be asked to read and sign a consent form in order to be part of the research study.
The UCL team will be running twenty minute sessions throughout the day where you will receive one to one guidance on flintknapping. They will have a sign up sheet where you can book onto a session when you arrive.
Why is this being done? This research project is part of a UCL archaeology dissertation of Fahmida Begum. It aims to determine the key characteristics in knapped flint that indicate child knappers as opposed to adult (novice) knappers. With little evidence in the archaeological record, the results will hopefully provide some clarity for future researchers.
For more information about the research project click here.
