Tried flint knapping for the first time at a dig site in Ohio

I spent 3 hours trying to make a simple arrowhead from a piece of chert and ended up with a pile of jagged flakes. Learned real quick that prehistoric people had way more patience and skill than I gave them credit for. Anybody else find a new respect for old tech after attempting it yourself?

2 comments

2 Comments

zarap148h ago

Small thing that a lot of people get wrong - you weren't working with chert up in Ohio. Most of the material found at sites there is actually flint ridge flint, which is a specific type of high quality stone from that area. Chert and flint are similar but not exactly the same, and the local stuff behaves a bit differently when you knap it. Real flint from Ohio is actually a lot easier to work with than regular chert because it's got a more even grain and less hidden cracks. That pile of jagged flakes you ended up with? Thats pretty normal even with good stone, especially your first time out. Next time try finding some flint ridge material, it'll still break your heart but at least it'll break nicely.

lily_stone7612m ago

Can't believe you just said that. I've been calling it chert for two decades and nobody ever corrected me. Kinda embarrassed now honestly.