Getting to the Point: Stone Tool Technology Workshop
July 18-20, 2008
The making of stone tools for hunting, sewing, processing game and other purposes is an art and technology that has served mankind since prehistoric times. Tools and weapons were an essential item of prehistoric indigenous persons. This art continues to fascinate curious minds today. Some have dedicated their lives to researching clues that lithic points have given us about prehistoric cultural existence.
Held in picturesque Morefield Campground, Mesa Verde National Park, this workshop will focus on reconstructing the technological process required to construct the artifacts made by inhabitants of the Four Corners centuries ago. It will also explore how these stone tool technologies shaped the societies, lifestyles, and people that used them.
Taught by noted flintknapper Greg Nunn, this workshop will include:
• Twelve formal hours of flintknapping and stone tool instruction (as well as countless hours of informal discussion)
• Park ranger tours of an 800 year-old cliff dwelling, the park archeological museum, and hiking trails
• Catered Barbeque Dinner at your campsite
• A campsite for Friday and Saturday nights (but bring your own tent!)
During the course of the workshop, participants will create their own stone tools from rough rocks, just as the Ancestral Puebloans did in Mesa Verde centuries ago. Participants also will receive their own personal, traditional tool kit for use in the workshop and to take home.
Workshop Agenda
| Friday, July 18 | |
| Before 6:30 PM | Travel to Mesa Verde; Set-up campsite |
| 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Welcome and Introduction to Stone Tool Technology |
| 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Evening Ranger Program at Morefield Amphitheater (Optional) |
| Saturday, July 19 | |
| Before 8:00 AM | Breakfast on your own |
| 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Flintknapping and Projectile Point Manufacturing |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch on your own |
| 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Instruction Continued |
| 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Guided Hike of Point Lookout Trail by Park Ranger (Optional) |
| 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | BBQ Dinner and Discussion |
| 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Evening Ranger Program at Morefield Amphitheater (Optional) |
| Sunday, July 20 | |
| Before 8:00 AM | Breakfast on your own |
| 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Completing your Stone Tool |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch on your own |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Tour Chapin Archeological Museum with Park Ranger |
| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Tour Spruce Tree House with Park Ranger |
| 4:00 PM and After | Pack up at campsite; Depart Mesa Verde |
Meet Greg Nunn
Greg has been flintknapping since 1986. He has studied over the years with Dr. Bruce Bradley, Dr. Errett Callahan, Bob Patten, Gene Titmus, and of course the ancient masters who created the wonderful stone artifacts we admire today. Over the years Greg has flintknapped a wide variety of beautiful stones and, while appreciating them all, is partial to the high quality variety of brown, gray, and tan flints. He believes that these earth tone rocks reveal the craftsmanship far better than flashy multicolored stones.
Greg’s specialty is edge-to-edge pressure flaking. It is a labor intensive process, but it has its rewards. Not only does Greg enjoy making these items, he also likes to use them. Greg has processed numerous deer, elk, fish, and two wild Bison using stone knife blades. He is also an avid bow hunter and has taken a number of mule deer and elk with stone points. In fact, Greg believes that they work as good if not better than the finest metal broad heads made!
For more information about Greg Nunn, visit his website: gregnunnflintworks.com
Things to Know about the Workshop
• Morefield Campground accommodations include: potable water, restroom and shower facilities, laundry facilities, and picnic tables. Morefield Campground is located 4 miles from the park entrance on Highway 160.
• Summer can be a time of fire restrictions at Mesa Verde due to recent drought conditions. If severe fire restrictions are in place, participants will be required to use pressurized gas stoves for preparing their meals. If no fire restrictions exist, campfires will be permitted.
• The Knife Edge Café, near the campground, is open for breakfast from 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM. The camp store is open from 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM. No other dining options are available within the Morefield Campground area.
• Although a traditional toolkit will be provided for you, you may bring your own tools if you wish. Greg asks, however, that these be traditional tools – no copper!
• This program is limited to 12 participants
• Registration for this workshop closes on June 1st, 2008. Sign up soon to ensure your spot!
Registration Fee: $425
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