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Knap-In and Primitive Arts Festival
Back | Next Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park celebrates artistry that stretches back thousands of years with the FRIENDS hosted, Annual Knap-In and Primitive Arts Festival. Visitors learn how early humans lived and worked by participating in demonstrations of flint knapping, the art of projectile point fashioning; deer hide brain tanning; and bone, wood, and antler carving. Visitors can observe bow and arrow construction, basket weaving, early pottery, beadwork and more. Visitors can even try their hand at atlatl (spear) throwing. The festival is the kick-off to Archeology Month in March and facilitates a connection to our cultural heritage. Paynes Prairie has a rich history of man interfacing with nature and its resources for over 12,000 years. Close to 100 vendors and demonstrators attend. Presentations by various guest speakers take place. Atlatl throwing and primitive bow competitions are scheduled, plus an auction. What is Knapping? Knapping is breaking or chipping flint by using sharp blows. It is the method by which blades and projectile points are made for primitive hunting, scraping hides and cutting tools. Knappers used various rocks and tools to create blades and points. Florida chert and agatized coral are two common materials that were used by Florida's primitive people. Questions? Click here to send an email. |