Australopithecus anamensis
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Homo habilis
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Australopithecus afarensis
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Homo erectus
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Australopithecus africanus
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Homo sapiens neanderthalensis
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I perform Stone Age Living History demonstrations at a number of events, for different clients, such as heritage sites, museums, schools, universities, Young Archaeologist clubs and local history societies/clubs. This generally covers mesolithic and Neolithic periods (but will go into bronze and iron ages). As the last Ice Age ended in the UK around 10,000 BC, nomadic Hunter-Gatherers began to move back into the region from mainland Europe. By 9,500 years ago, the rising sea levels caused by the melting glaciers cut Britain off from Ireland and by around 6500 to 6000 BC mainland Europe was cut off for the last time. Archaeologists refer to this time (around 8500 BC to 4000 BC) as the Mesolithic or “Middle Stone Age”. Around 4000 BC, the first evidence of farming appeared and this was the beginning of the Neolithic or “New Stone Age.” Neolithic farmers probably existed alongside the Hunter-Gatherers for some time before the farming lifestyle took over. The Neolithic farmers began to build permanent settlements and also the stone circles, the henges and burial Cairns. By using fire and more advanced stone tools like polished stone axes, they began the deforestation of large sections of land for the planting of crops. |
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The main living history activity is traditional flintknapping, but this can include other demonstrations, such as fire-lighting and using an Atlatl. I give talks about what life may have been like for our ancient ancesters and I also display artefacts, replicas, portable sculptures (mobiliary art), food, tools and weapons of the period.
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Artefacts:
Replica:
Replica Prehistoric Art: Flintknapping Kit :
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Reenactment is essentially performing a role in an event that may have occurred at an earlier time, especially battles. Activities related to "reenactment" have a long history. In fact the Romans staged recreations of famous battles within their amphitheaters as a form of public spectacle. |
Living History Living History describes attempts to bring well researched history to life for the general public for educational purposes. Unlike reenactment, it does not necessarily aim to recreate a specific event in history. Instead Living history often involves demonstrating everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, medical care, or particular skills and handicrafts. |
Experimental archaeology use different methods, techniques and analyses to generate and test hypotheses, based upon archaeological source material. One of the main forms of experimental archaeology is the creation of copies of historical artefacts and structures using only historically accurate technologies (such as flintknapping). |
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