TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Learn from the country’s finest stone craftsmen how to make arrowheads, spear points, and hundreds of other stone tools as they meet to demonstrate and teach their skill and sell their wares at the Moundville Knap-in, Thursday, March 29 through Saturday, March 31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Moundville Archaeological Park.
Flintknapping is an ancient Indian technique for chipping stone into tools and weapons. Other skills, including making bows and arrows, pottery and carved stone objects will also be demonstrated and taught at the Park, which is operated by The University of Alabama Museums. Visitors may enter bow shooting and spear throwing contests. A raffle and an auction will feature high quality arts and crafts and choice stone reproductions sold for a fraction of their value.
Until Europeans came to the Americas, Native Americans made stone arrow and spear points, knife blades, scrapers, drills, and numerous other implements using antler and stone to knap certain rocks that break like glass—including flint, chert, and obsidian. Flint and chert are commonly found in limestone deposits, and obsidian is a natural glass formed by volcanoes.
The professional knappers meeting at Moundville will vend raw materials of all sorts, including antler, leather, and a variety of knapping tools. They have taught hundreds of people this craft and welcome anyone with interest, whether as a spectator or a student.
Moundville is located 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa off Alabama Highway 69. Knap-in admission is $3 for children and $5 for adults.
Contact
Betsy Gilbert, 205/371-2234