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.

So, what’s Flint Knapping and how does it work?

Flint Knapping is a common name for the process of lithic reduction (knocking flakes off stone).

The technique is roughly 3 million years old and has travelled through our ancestor species onto us through the genus homo. H. erectus evolved 2 million years ago and was the first archaic human species to leave Africa and disperse across Eurasia. Homo sapiens emerged in Africa at least 300,000 years ago from a species commonly designated as H. heidelbergensis. 

The skill has remained unchanged, the knapper uses a hammerstone (hard rock) to strike the material (in our case, flint), releasing a flake in a predictable and controllable manner. These flakes can then be refined into tools, known as Flake Tools. Alternatively, one can continue removing flakes until only the tool is left as the centre of the material stone, this is known as a Core Tool, for example, a hand-axe.

Flint knapping is specifically the stone age craft of making tools from Flint.

It should not be confused with knapping stone, or using materials that are not native to the stone age community, such as slate or obsidian, these are referred to as Knapping, but the materials are bought commercially and worked easily.

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

Training and recruitment issues – Flint knapping is a niche craft and requires an understanding of pre-history, but also an artist ability required to ‘bring out’ the tool within a stone. Whilst knapping is popular, particularly in the USA, flint knapping is very specialized and requires a high degree of skill that is often self-taught and honed through years of practice. Most professional knappers are middle age or later life specialists, who if they are training are offering day or short courses as a hoddy rather than as a profession. There is no formal qualification for flint knapping.

Supply of raw materials, allied materials and tools –

Small business issues – Commercial opportunities are few, but there is a global demand, with many of my replicas and ‘have a go’ kits finding homes in Canada, USA, Australia and southern Europe. Courses help supplement income.

Ageing workforce – Almost all of the current flint knappers listed on the Red List are either approaching retirement or are retired. I am easily the youngest professional flint knapper, at 22 years old.

Other issues – <ul>
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<div class=”li”>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.</div>
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<div class=”li”><strong>Quality (rather than quantity) of the raw materials:</strong> 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.</div>
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<div class=”li”><strong>Market issues:</strong> 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.</div>
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<div class=”li”><strong>Lifestyle issues:</strong> have to travel a lot, which doesn’t suit everybody.</div>
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<div class=”li”>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.</div>
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<li><strong>Training and recruitment issues</strong> – professionals have been lost due to ill health, old age or the need to seek alternative sources of income.</li>
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None

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.

Prehistoric Crafts offers knapping courses and workshops as part of the ‘Led by the Wild’ community project, Aldington in Kent.

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

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.