PALEOTECHNICS

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

with Tamara Wilder
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It is often difficult for students to visualize and comprehend how early humans lived. Hands on participation in (or just being able watch) the creation of an item using ancient technologies brings the whole topic to life and gives the participants a base upon which to build an understanding of the past.

The programs listed here are specific for school situations.
Look at the program information page for a complete description
of all the topics available to a variety of age groups and situations.

click here for school program brochure (352k pdf download)

Don't have a large enought group to sponsor a program?
Also check the schedule for upcoming kids & family day programs open to the public.

School Programs are most commonly presented to 4th to 8th grade ages however the program can be adapted to younger ages if there is enough adult assistance.
6th grade is most common as part of the study of early humans.

Young Adult programs are most commonly presented to 9th to 12th grade ages.

Programs generally give an overview introduction to the basic technologies listed below. Participants usually end up with a necklace or bracelet which they have made entirely by hand from sticks, stones and seeds.

Stringmaking programs for young kids begin with partially or totally prepared fiber of Dogbane and/or other materials which are easier to work with in certain situations. We extract and twist these fibers into string using one of several techniques (varying from extremely basic for very young kids to advanced for small groups of older kids, with lots of other levels in between).

Young adult programs are slightly longer and use more advanced techniques.

Firemaking programs begin with a demonstration of hand drill firemaking. Prepared hand and/or bowdrill kits are then supplied so participants can partner up and give it a try. Friction fire is difficult so we will concentrate on the process instead of the result; however, it is possible for focused partners of older kids to make fire. Flint & steel firemaking can also be demonstrated.

Young adult programs are slightly longer and more focus is given to actually making fire.

Grinding and drilling beads is a fun activity which introduces many of the age old stone and wood shaping techniques used in many other technologies. Using soapstone (a soft but durable stone) and ghost pine nuts (Pinus sabiniana), we will make beads to hang on the string made of native plant fibers. Most kids take home either a bracelet or necklace which they are very proud to have made "from scratch".

Hunting tools target practice is extremely popular with kids and is a safe activity as long as there is enough space and adult supervision. A grass field is the best venue. The weapons which are available for this activity are:

  • rabbitsticks
    The oldest & most pandemic of weapons. In Australia, it evolved into the boomerang for hunting birds, but most rabbitsticks are non returning.
  • handspears
    One of the most basic of hunting weapons.
  • bow & arrows
    Probably the most familiar hunting weapon, the bow & arrow was an extremely successful invention which is still used in many different forms today.
  • atlatls (spear throwers)
    Atlatl is the Aztec word. Spear throwers enjoy a long & diverse history as the weapon used worldwide to hunt mammoths, mastodons & other megafauna. In the Old World, they were replaced by the bow & arrow long ago, but in the New World, the bow & arrow only made its appearance as recently as 500 years before contact; therefore, North American spear throwers reached a higher level of design than those of the Old World. The Aborigines in Australia never adopted the bow & arrow and even today still depend on the spear thrower (woomerah).

Hoop & Pole game is a very fun and instructional spearthrowing game played in many areas of North America. It is usually included in the hunting tools target practice section of a school program.

Programs on wild foods involve an exploration of the technologies which have developed to process food into an edible/palatable meal. For example, processing acorn involves cracking, pounding, sifting, leaching & cooking, while manzanita berries only require a light pounding. Other foods vary from being ready to eat to needing extensive leaching or cooking.

Demonstrations on any of the topics above are also available, usually presented as a display of samples which the students can touch, handle & ask questions about, combined with a live demonstration of the process. Common topics for demonstrations are:

  • Flintknapping (Stoneworking)
  • Netmaking
  • Ropemaking
  • Basketry
  • Braintanning deer skins (Leathermaking)

DETAILS

  • A standard 5 topic grade school program covers hunting tools, pine nut beads, stone beads, cordage, and firemaking. (3-4 hours)
    $335 for up to 15 students
    $410 for 16 to 30 students, $11/student thereafter.
    Larger groups require 3-5 other adults to be present.
  • Following an initial introduction and demonstration, larger classes are divided into groups of about 10 to rotate through 3 different stations. Either program can be extended at additional cost to a whole day with more time and detail given to each topic. Smaller classes require fewer other adults present.
  • Wild foods program (3 hours) covers acorn & manzanita berry processing technologies, plus other foods in season at the time.
    $350-$450 depending on foods supplied.
    Limited by availability of resources.
  • School programs already include materials fees.
  • A travel fee may also be added if more than 80 miles from Ukiah, CA.
  • Demonstrations run off a base rate of $100/hr. Materials cost varies by topic.

Email us with questions or for more specific information concerning a custom program that would better fit your needs.

click here for school program brochure (352k pdf download)
contact us at ts@paleotechnics.com

PALEOTECHNICS
Steven Edholm & Tamara Wilder
PO Box 876 Boonville, CA 95415
voice mail 707-793-2287
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