What makes this event so special for me is that some of the best teachers, artists and experimental archaeologists in the country come together in a small setting and display their work for each other and the general public. Throughout the weekend there were hardcore skills practitioners alongside families that had never even heard of primitive skills. This blending of experiences and perspectives always makes for an interesting time.
Bill watches a demonstration by a Danish flintknapper on indirect percussion- using an antler punch struck by a mallet to remove precise flakes. Danish blade cores and axes were made this way.
There were various skill demonstrations and workshops on both days, and 15-20 vendors selling tools, craft items, or just displaying their art. Below are a few that stood out.
A display of colorful stone points made by one vendor.
Stone knives.
A large pack basket made from Tulip Poplar bark.
Pottery fired on-site the night before.
Hand dyed and woven dogbane cordage bags, masterful works of art.
Bows at the Ancestral Knowledge table. Besides the vendors, workshops, and time spent just kicking it and flintknapping, there's also a 24 target archery course through the woods nearby. These courses are designed to loosely simulate hunting in that the terrain, distances and shooting angles vary from target to target. We only got out twice this year but it was a great time.
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