Knapping the First Tools

Knapping, or chipping sharp edges into stone, is one of the earliest known technologies. Millions of years ago, our ancestors learned to shape stone tools for hunting and survival. In this workshop, teens (ages 13–18) will explore how early stone tools were made and why they matter. Work with Dylan Flicker, a PhD student in Archaeology, to see how striking a rock in just the right way can turn it into a useful tool.

Try your hand at safely shaping and using stone tools to understand the skill, precision, and problem-solving involved in this ancient technology. Participants attending this workshop should wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Teen Saturdays Workshops are offered bilingually in Spanish and English. They are designed to build community and improve the museum experience for multicultural teens. Snacks provided!

$10 fee includes free admission to all HMSC museums immediately following the workshop. Teens will receive a free admission pass (worth $15) for a return visit if they attend one of the three sessions. October 17: Knapping the First Tools: Teen Saturdays Workshop November 14: Making Paleolithic Cave Art December 12: Animal Stories from the Past Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology and the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture. LEARN MORE / GET TICKETS