I was searching the internet for instructional videos on how to knap your own lithic tools and I came across the work of an exceptionally talented and experienced modern flintnapper who goes by the name Paleomanjim. He has been flintknapping since the 1980s and specializes in replicating stone tools from different time periods and cultures all over the world using indigenous tools and techniques. Unlike a lot of flintnappers, he does not rely on modern technology to form arrowheads, such as flake over grinding (FOG) or lapidary equipment. By using aboriginal tools and his vast knowledge of lithic production techniques, he is able to create a variety of beautiful tools some of which can be viewed (or bought!) at his page on Flintknappers.com.
One of my favorite of his productions is a Meso-American inspired Maquahuitl which is basically a wooden baseball bat with sharp obsidian blades lining the edges. Not only does it look like it can do a frightening amount of damage, the hafted blades remind me of large versions of microlith blades that were common in the Old Worl during the late Upper Palaeolithic period onwards.
This flintnapper also has an extensive amount of flintknapping videos on youtube under the name paleomanjin. I particularly enjoyed his 7-part series of instructional videos on beginning flintnapping for people interested in learning how to do this at home. Along with basic tips, his videos are filled with fun facts on the art which are both entertaining and informative. (At one point he comes out with a large rifle and tells us that flintnapping got its name from people who shaped flint to for the firing mechanism of more modern weapons. Pretty cool!)
He also has videos that take you through the process of making specific points, such as a Clovis point or a Humboldt point. I always wondered if maybe the old points I found in my archaeological surveys were real or whether they were made by bored modern flintnappers wanting mess with government archaeologist. This guy is making me really question it!
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Who is Paleomanjim? My professor, John Clark, wants to know.
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