The art of flint knapping

As part of International Archaeology Day, expert flint knapper Dan Long held a demonstration for the Brock community on Saturday, Oct. 23. Since prehistoric times, humans have done flint knapping to create arrowheads, spearpoints and other cutting tools. Long, who has been knapping since 1990, recreates prehistoric points using local southern Ontario Onondaga chert, and works with other stone types to replicate early North American pointed tools and weapons using traditional tools and techniques. His toolkit includes moose antler and copper to flake and shape pieces of stone into useful and artistic tools. His demonstration was hosted by the Department of Classics and the Niagara Peninsula Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America.