"Flintkapping 101" with Phil Geib Sept. 19

BROWNVILLE – In ancient times, learning how to make tools and weapons from rocks was a crucial survival skill. Learn more about this ancient craft Saturday, Sept. 19, by attending “Flintknapping 101” with archaeologist Phil Geib. The program, the last in the 2026 Summer Saturday Series presented by Brownville Fine Arts and the Brownville Education Center for Arts and Humanities, will begin at 1:00pm at The Antiquarium, 309 Water Street. It is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Geib has worked as an archaeologist for more than 45 years. He was a contract field archaeologist in the Southwest for the first half of his career and is now a professor of archaeology and anthropology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Geib started flintknapping in 1979, slowly gaining experience in that ancient craft. One of the classes he teaches at UNL is “Lithic Technology” so students can learn about stone tool production and use.

You will learn how people in the past made blades, arrowheads and tools from rocks, and you’ll also be able to view some hand specimens and a demonstration. If you have a potentially interesting stone artifact or two, bring it to the program.

Funding for this program is provided by the Sherwood Foundation. For more information, email BECAHinfo@gmail.com.