Primitive Tools: Stone, Bone, and Wood at Barnes Nature Center

Step back into human history and learn how early people survived using nothing but skill, creativity, and natural materials. In this hands-on, 4-hour workshop, we’ll explore the ingenuity of early humans and the primitive tools they crafted from stone, bone, and wood to hunt, build, and thrive. We’ll begin with a short discussion on early human survival and tool use, examining authentic examples and replicas to understand how these tools were made and why they worked so well. From there, we’ll dive into the history and function of one of humanity’s most effective hunting tools—the Atlatl. After learning its origins and use, students will construct their own primitive Atlatl using traditional methods and natural materials. This course emphasizes learning by doing, problem-solving, and developing a deeper appreciation for ancestral skills that laid the foundation for human survival. Ages 12 + (all children must be accompanied by a paying adult)