Lecture series features flint knapper
The Math and Sciences Division at National Park College hosted its First Friday Lunch and Lecture series on Sept. 1.
Guest speaker Eddie Vaughan, a flint knapper, demonstrated how to shape native stone into arrowheads, points and knives. He has more than 40 years of experience creating native tools and uses different types of stone depending on the project.
Vaughan said novaculite is what most Native Americans used. He noted obsidian and plate glass are alternative options for someone who wishes to explore the craft.
The stone is heat-treated between 700-900 degrees. The purer the stone the less heat treatment it requires. The heat allows the stone to flake and break more cleanly along the ridges.
Vaughan uses a pottery kiln to treat his stones, while native artisans used fire. He uses aboriginal and modern tools to shape the stone, including round sandstone and copper tools he made by hand.
The Lecture Series included demonstrations by Vaughan of how to strike the stone to get the best result. Once the stone is shaped, it can be placed on a wooden shaft or handle using natural materials, such as animal tendon, pine resin and charcoal.
Vaughan said knapping is a learned skill that takes many years of practice to master. He said the work in therapeutic for him because of the level of focus it requires.