Ancient implements in the making

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Posted February 18, 2022 | By Susan Smiley-Height

Driving into the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center side of Silver Springs State Park, from the entrance at 1445 NE 58^th Ave., off Baseline Road, is like traveling back in time.

As you round each curve in the long and winding road, vestiges of city life give way to “old” Florida flora and fauna. When you park and walk into the Cracker Village replica of a 19th century pioneer settlement, you can get a feel for how our ancestors lived. On Feb. 19 and 20, during the Silver River Knap-In and Prehistoric Arts Festival, you can venture even further back in time and see aficionados crafting the ancient implements that helped those generations survive.

According to Scott Mitchell, an archaeologist and director of the center, the word knap means to break and originates from Old German knoppen or Middle English knappen. The act of “knapping” refers to the controlled breakage of stone such as flint (or chert in Florida) to create sharp tools. Spears and arrows, drills, knives, scrapers, axes, adzes and other implements were tipped with sharp bits of stone.

“Stone tools were critical to survival and allowed people to cut and carve wood, butcher animals, process hides into leather, shred pant fibers to create cordage, hunt and defend themselves with weapons. Picture not having a hardware or grocery store available. Now limit the material you can make into tools to only what you can find around you in nature and you’ll get a sense of how important stone tool making was for early people,” Mitchell said.

Flint knapping has seen a resurgence among archaeologists as a way to better understand the past and among artists who create recreations of ancient implements.

“We have flint knappers and artisans who come from across the eastern U.S., including Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. Ocala and Marion County, and our beautiful weather and freshwater springs, are a major draw,” Mitchell noted.

“This is the 11th annual Silver River Knap-In. Last year was canceled due to COVID-19, so we are excited to see the event return. Prior to coming to the Silver Springs State Park, the event was held for many years at the Payne’s Prairie State Park. It grew to be one of the largest events of its kind in the southeast and then was canceled by that park around 2008 due to lack of staffing and funds. The event was held at several other parks for two years and then we were approached and asked to host it here at the Silver River Museum,” he said.

“We added a Friday student day for field trips and expanded the event to include an educational angle that includes booths and presentations by professional archaeologists. Hands-on activities include spear throwing and archery ranges, pottery making, buckskin hide tanning and scraping, a beaded necklace activity and Native American mask making for kids (all are included in the general admission price). There are also museum scavenger hunts and many demonstrations as well, with flint knapping, pottery, bone and shell carving and more,” he added.

Tribal members from the Seminole Tribe of Florida will take part and typically demonstrate dugout canoe carving, which complements the museum’s newest exhibit on Native American dugout canoes.

“Our goal is get people outdoors and enjoying the state park, learning, having fun and visiting the Silver River Museum. The event is also structured to serve as a fundraiser for the museum, with all proceeds helping to support our educational programs,” Mitchell said.

The festival will take place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 19 and 20. Admission is $8; free for ages 5 and younger. For more information, visit silverrivermuseum.com or call (352) 236-5401.