Flintknapping

Flintknapping is the working and shaping of flint (and other siliceous rock types) using percussive force and pressure to recreate archaeological replicas from prehistory (Palaeolithic – Bronze Age), strikers for fire lighting and flints for historical firearms. Archaeologically flintknapping and the working of stone for cutting tools is the oldest craft in the world dating to around 3.3 million years ago. The oldest stone tools in Britain date to around 900,000 years ago.

There are currently two types of flintknapping in the UK:

• To make replicas of prehistoric objects such as axeheads and spearheads for use in museums, schools and archaeological research – perhaps about 5-6 people doing this professionally, and many more doing it in a non-professional capacity
• To shape flint for use in masonry and wall faces – perhaps about 10 people doing this professionally

• Flintknapping is an extremely challenging craft as flint is a very restrictive and inconsistent material. The difficulty lies in the skill – such as understanding the material, the correct angle to hit it and the probable outcome, and requires technique, accuracy and hand-eye co-ordination – rather than in the physicality.
• Quality (rather than quantity) of the raw materials: There are very few sources of good quality flint in the UK – while there are a few quarries, none produce particularly good, reliable, consistent flint – although it is hoped that there will be a good quality source again in the next couple of years.
• Market issues: it is likely that there will always be a market for prehistoric replica knappers, but that market is fairly saturated and can probably only support one or two more. There is a lot of competition for the best orders from prestigious museums or TV companies.
• Lifestyle issues: have to travel a lot, which doesn’t suit everybody.
• Quite a few people try the craft of making replica objects on day courses and many students learn/practise from someone else as part of their university research but it is not always clear if they will carry it on. There are no ‘apprentices’ learning the craft, although there might be one or two individuals who are learning seriously. There are no awarding bodies or certificates but it is not felt that this sort of infrastructure is needed and there is no one to deliver it.
• Training and recruitment issues – professionals have been lost due to ill health, old age or the need to seek alternative sources of income.

Ancient Craft offer flintknapping workshops focused on different skills and styles within the craft from their workshop base in North Norfolk. They seek to support hobbyist flintknappers and those looking to progress into semi (for fully) professional status.

• John Lord
• Will Lord
• James Dilley
• Phil Harding

Numbers of leisure makers: This is very difficult to estimate but there are a number of flintknapping courses and tutorials available. Flintknapping is a popular craft with reenactors and experimental archaeologists, and we we can probably surmise that there are a high number of leisure makers.