Ancient practice still alive

• By MARILYN GOFF
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: May 11, 2008 - Page: 5B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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ST. FRANCISVILLE — Flint knapping is a serious hobby that brings like-minded people around a fire to revive and practice Native Americans’ ancient techniques of making arrowheads and knives of stone.

Interpretative Park Ranger James Smith of Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site said Saturday this present-day fireside camaraderie probably is not unlike that shared by the Tunica Indian and other Native American flint knappers of the past who would gather around a fire and bury their flintstone to bake in deep underground ovens.

After a time, they would take out the heated flint so they could work the stone and chip off long, slender shards, shaping them into arrowheads, knives, scrapers other useful tools, Smith explained.

Smith, who gave a demonstration  of flint-knapping on Saturday at Rosedown Plantation, said the last chance for people to see flint knapping being demonstrated during the site’s current spring season will be on Saturday, June 14, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.  The demonstrations resume again in the fall on Sundays, Smith said.

The 31-year-old park ranger and anthropology graduate of Louisiana State University said that during his flint-knapping programs, he usually sees the same people over and over again. 

Sometimes, they bring Native American arrowhead collections and just talk about the artifacts and the craft.

At other times, Smith said, the topics of conversation revolve around places to purchase flintstone, the needed raw material. 
Smith was “knapping” flint that has to be ordered from sources in Arkansas, Texas and parts of the Northwest. Flint of sufficient quality to make stone-age implements is available only in small quantities around Louisiana.

In fact, the Tunica Indians found living in the lower Mississippi River Valley by the 17th century had to get most of their flint from trading with other Indian tribes, he said.

The small amount of indigenous flint found in Louisiana, Smith, said, allowed the Tunica Indians to make only small arrowheads.
People introduced to flint knapping today will quickly learn it is a social hobby, Smith said, and that it doesn’t cost much to get started.

Someone intent on taking up the craft of flint knapping needs to buy stone and shaving tools for about $60 to $100.  People don’t try to make a living from making arrowheads these days, Smith said, although visitors to fairs and festivals will buy such handmade stone tools.

While arrowheads made in the 21st century may look like the originals crafted centuries ago, flint knappers need to tell buyers that they are purchasing hand-made reproductions of the original arrowheads and knives.

Smith said there are hobbyists who make their own bows, arrows and arrowheads.

“This is a serious chore,” said Smith, adding that the same hobbyists have sometimes have “knapp-ins,” where they share new techniques and discuss Native American artifacts.