During the Neolithic period, flint tools were produced by craftsmen called flintknappers. They split flints into rough shapes and then knocked pieces off to form the shape of a tool. Final adjustments were made using a technique called pressure flaking. Many flintknappers were highly skilled craftsmen and were equivalent to the metal-working blacksmiths of the later Iron Age. Flintknappers generated vast amounts of waste material, as they worked producing tools including: scrapers, axes, knives and arrowheads. Mounds comprising excavated soil and chalk, plus heaps of flint chippings can still be seen on Cissbury Ring and at Grimes Graves today. ContentsJohn Lord: flintknapperMy wife and I watched John Lord demonstrating the ancient craft of flintknapping, during a visit to an event organised by Cromer Museum, one day in 1997. 
Flintknapper John Lord demonstrated how to split a large flint producing a suitable blank using a rock hammer. 
Having split the rock he roughed out the shape of an axe using a hammer made from a piece of antler to knock pieces off. 
The final shape of the axe blade. 
John also demonstrated pressure flaking. The arrowhead was held against a piece of thick leather, in the palm of one hand while the other held a bone tool used to apply pressure to the edge. This caused small flakes of flint to break away. By this means he was able to produce a fine arrowhead. 
John demonstrated his skill by producing this exquisite arrowhead. 
Finally, John showed us a selection of the tools that he had made earlier.
Grimes GravesWhile we were in Norfolk we visited Grimes Graves where it is possible to actually go down into one of the mine shafts that has been re-opened for visitors. It involves donning a protective hard-hat and climbing down a long ladder. At the bottom you can look into galleries that fan out on all sides around the base of the shaft. It is well worth a visit, if you are ever in the area and have a good head for heights!
Books about flint
Internal linksExternal links
Exchange links
Comments |
