Hopewell Township near Heath in Licking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
People And Technology: Mining And Crafting Flint
Photographed by Craig Doda, May 4, 2024
1. People And Technology: Mining And Crafting Flint Marker
At Flint Ridge, ancient American Indians quarried the flint from pits they laboriously dug by hand into the bedrock. Many of these pits are still visible along the park trails. Once the flint was exposed, it was struck with hammer stones to break it into large chunks, which were then pried out of the surrounding rock with wooden poles.
Favorable pieces of flint were carried off to be "knapped" expertly chipped and worked into tools. When flint is struck, it breaks into chunks with edges as sharp as glass, and a skilled flint worker, or "knapper" can shape raw flint into precisely formed tools such as spear points, knives, scrapers and drills. Ancient flint workers sometimes used fire to hear the fine, which made it easier to knap. Heating flint also made its colors more vibrant.
Erected by Ohio History Connection.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.
Location. 39° 59.28′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Columbus Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: People At Flint Ridge Through Time (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named People At Flint Ridge Through Time (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Craig Doda, May 4, 2024
2. People And Technology: Mining And Crafting Flint Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
