Channel Title: paleomanjim Channel Description: I began flintknaping in 1980 using aboriginal tools similar to what stone age cultures used. In the 1990's I transitioned to modern tools such as copper which is the preferred tool for the majority of modern day flintknappers. Over the past decade I have transitioned back to abo tools (hammerstones and organic tools) in an effort to more closely approximate ancient techniques and strategies. My goal in posting these videos is to demonstrate some of the tools, techniques and thought processes that were used by our ancestors. Early mans ability to work stone enabled him to better survive his environment and resulted in a shift from gathering to hunting. Making tools and hunting required more complex thought processes. This was our beginning. DVD's of some of these videos are available on my website at http://www.flintknappers.com/store.php?sid=Ng%3D%3D Check out my other Youtube channel: The Curious Nomad https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-KG7sUUfJjl92U4PgjTTNw <video> Blade Core Basics Part 1 Description: All about the basics of Blades and cores. Shows several examples of prehistoric blade cores from various parts of the world, followed by diagrams and explanations of the requirements for successful blade removals from cores. The diagrams and discussion are intended for students and those interested in blade core technology. Part 1 of this series may be a bit dry for most folks, but part 2 will show how to make a blade core preform using hammerstone percussion. Part 3 will demonstrate pressure blade removal. It is my hope that this series will inspire others to try their hand at blade core making and ultimately answer some of the questions about our past. </video> <video> Blade Core Hammerstone Preform Part 2 Description: Part 2 shows how to make a Blade Core preform using just a hammerstone. The finished preform is ready to remove pressure blades using a crutch. This type of core preform is similar to those found in Meso American blade core workshops and are believed to have been made at the quarry sites and then transported to the workshops. In Part 3 of this series we will begin removing pressure blades using an antler tipped chest crutch producing fine pressure blades. </video> <video> Fire Making with Bamboo Fire Saw Description: Demonstrates how to make fire using the Bamboo Fire Saw. Includes where is was used, the 2 different methods to make fire, how to shape the pieces and tips on successful fire making. </video> <video> Unifacial flint draw knife Description: Just a short video for Goose to demonstrate how a unifacial flaked piece of chert can be used in a similar manner as a modern day draw knife to shape and plane wood. I'll do a complete video later showing how to make a bi-pointed unofficial knife and how they could have been used. This is just a primer... </video> <video> Fire Making with Bow Drill Description: Demonstrates how to make fire using the Bow Drill. Includes how to make the components of the bow drill and detailed explanation of how to make fire using the Bow Drill. </video> <video> Fire Making with Pump Drill Description: This video demonstrates how to use an ancient pump drill to create fire. The history of the pump drill is discussed followed by a fire making demo. Afterward I reassemble the pump drill components to explain their proper function and provide some useful tips to improve performance. </video> <video> Blade Core Pressure Blading Part 4 Description: Shows completion of pressure blading the core, including rejuvenating the core platform with tablet flake removals and correcting errors on blade removals. The final core in not exhausted, but has around 20 to 30 potential blade removals remaining. This completes the series. I may do another segment on Micro cores if there is interest in it. </video> <video> Fire Making with Hand Drill Part 2 Description: Part 2 of the series. Shows fire being made with the tools we collected from the desert, including tips on how to keep the ember burning. </video> <video> Fire Making with Yucca Fire Saw Description: Shows how to start a fire with a Yucca flower stalk using the fire saw method. Normally bamboo is used for this technique but I did not have any so I opted to try using Yucca instead. It worked very well. </video> <video> Fire Making in the Wild Description: On this trip we hike in the coastal California hills in search of fire making materials. We collect suitable woods and tinder and then shape them into a Fire Plow. It took several attempts, but we finally produce a viable ember using the Fire Plow. </video> <video> Fire Making with Hand Drill Part 1 Description: Shows how to make a fire using the Hand Drill method. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. Begins with a description of the component parts of the Hand Drill, followed by a brief demo. We collect materials from the desert to make a hand drill set and then describe optimum conditions for each component. Fire making is one of the most basic survival skills. Hope some of you give this a try. Enjoy! </video> <video> How to Make a Pump Drill Description: Shows how to make an ancient Pump Drill using simple materials that are available anywhere. We begin making the spindle and handle followed by an easy to make cement counterweight. Next we attach flint drill tips to the end of the spindle and test them out on various materials. Finally we flintknapp a flint drill bit showing what seems to work best on drill bits. Enjoy! </video> <video> Blade Core Pressure Blading Part 3 Description: Part 3 shows how to remove pressure blades using a chest crutch. The tools and the core support device is shown and explained followed by my simple abo core support device. The remainder of part 3 shows pressure blades being removed from the same core that was preformed in part 2. In Part 4 of this series we will finish removing pressure blades from this core and complete the series. </video> <video> Making Tinder Bundles for Fire Making Description: Demonstrates how to make a tinder bundle or birds nest for Friction Fire making. Includes collecting suitable materials from the field. I gather Juniper bark, Yucca leaves, pine needles and dry grass and then process these into seperate tinder bundles. Each is then blown into flame using a bow drill made ember. </video> <video> Fire Making with the Fire Plow Description: Demonstrates the method of using the Fire Plow to start a fire. Tools and wood types are shown and explained. The Fire Plow was widely used throughout Polynesia and South East Asia and possibly in the Americas as well. Both Sotol and Yucca woods are demo'ed in the Fire making process. </video>

Contacts and Links

Description

I began flintknaping in 1980 using aboriginal tools similar to what stone age cultures used. In the 1990's I transitioned to modern tools such as copper which is the preferred tool for the majority of modern day flintknappers. Over the past decade I have transitioned back to abo tools (hammerstones and organic tools) in an effort to more closely approximate ancient techniques and strategies. My goal in posting these videos is to demonstrate some of the tools, techniques and thought processes that were used by our ancestors. Early mans ability to work stone enabled him to better survive his environment and resulted in a shift from gathering to hunting. Making tools and hunting required more complex thought processes. This was our beginning.
DVD's of some of these videos are available on my website at http://www.flintknappers.com/store.php?sid=Ng%3D%3D
Check out my other Youtube channel: The Curious Nomad
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-KG7sUUfJjl92U4PgjTTNw

Videos from channel