Flintknapping

Season 1

Ian Thompson demonstrates flintknapping and explains why it's an indigenous art form.

Ian Thompson, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Choctaw nation of Oklahoma, is an experienced flintknapper. He describes the practice as an indigenous art form. Using a stone with high silica content, flintknappers chip away at the rock until it is transformed into a sharp edge cutting tool. Archaeologists learn a lot about past people when they uncover these bits of ancient technology.

AIR DATE 7/2/13