Chris Woodland - Prehistoric Technology

Come along to my cordage workshop in Sheffield! Tickets can be booked through the eventbrite link below.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/prehistoric-cordage-workshop-sheffield-tickets-1333086470519?aff=oddtdtcreator

Very excited to announce this prehistoric cordage workshop at @ecclesall_woods in Sheffield. We will be taking a look at the archaeology to explore how natural fibres were used way back into the Stone Age and then having a go ourselves at making cordage from various seasonal materials. To get your ticket, just drop me an email [email protected]. #archaeology #sheffield #prehistory #bushcraft #stoneage #ancienthistory #craft #naturalmaterials

I had a great time at last weekend demonstrating prehistoric fire lighting and running a cordage workshop.

Hopefully be back there this summer with some more workshops!

Pretty chuffed with this little fella!

My first plaited bark basket, made from willow bark left over from my cordage course at

Hope to put together a workshop for these and other types of bark container soon!

Great time at the today having a go at making awls. Pretty happy with how some of these have come out.

They're made from a flint blade by retouching the edges into a point. Very useful tools for drilling antler, bone, wood, shale, amber etc. or even for piercing hides for leatherwork.

A number were found at Star Carr among the lithic assemblage. It seemed rather fitting to photograph them in front of the replica Star Carr hut!

Well I had a great time at this weekend teaching my introduction to prehistoric cordage workshop!
I'm looking forward to expanding my range of prehistoric craft workshops there in the future, so keep an eye out!

Photo: willow bark prepping for the workshops.

My best go at a blade core yet!

Really happy with how some of these turned out, striking them off around the edge of the core with an antler soft hammer.

These blades can be used to make all sorts of tools. They can be used as cutting blades straight away, for example for skinning, or they can be easily modified into saws, awls, arrowheads etc. with relative ease through pressure flaking.

                                     

Working on this piece of red deer antler to carve out a billet for a barbed point. Swipe right to see some examples from Star Carr.

Vast quantities have been found at the Late Mesolithic site of in Yorkshire, UK. They were probably used for fishing and possibly hunting.

Watch this space for progress 😉

Cheers for the tips and burins!

Very pleased to announce another prehistoric cordage workshop in the Spring!

27th of April

If you want to come along and learn how revolutionary cordage was to our prehistoric ancestors and have a go at making some from plant materials, then sign up via the link!

https://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/events-listings/cordage-workshop