AINW Lithic Technology Workshops

Custom AINW Workshops at your Facility

Archaeological Investigations Northwest, Inc. (AINW), offers standard and custom lithic technology workshops for agencies, Tribes, CRM companies, and other organizations on request. AINW currently can offer four-day and several two-day workshops for organizations that can be held at our facility in Portland, Oregon, or at your facility. Workshops can be designed to meet your interests and training goals. The topics and number of days can be expanded or designed to focus on particular technologies.

Our standard workshops are listed below. Each workshop is described in a one-page flyer that provides a course description and learning objectives. We are also available to custom design a particular workshop to address your desired training topics and goals.

To schedule a workshop, we will discuss your interests and topics to be covered, the number of participants expected, and the location of the training whether at our facility or at your facility. Based on the results of our discussions and planning we will provide you with an agreement for the training that will include a cost for the specific training selected and/or designed for you.

“This workshop taught me beyond what I expected. It provided me with applied tools which have changed my perspective on debitage, and I am sure this will be valuable as part of my work in cultural resources management.” -Participant

Two-Day Lithic Technology Workshops

Objectives

These workshops are introductory courses in experimental stone tool production and lithic technological analysis. The workshops focus on learning how to apply flintknapping, pecking, and grinding experimentation results for interpretation of the archaeological record. The training emphasizes hands-on production and analysis of stone tools and their manufacture and maintenance. In each workshop, participants are taught several technologies and learn to recognize and identify the distinctive manufacturing products and by-products of each.

Format

Daily instruction alternates between flintknapping (or pecking and grinding) and identification and analysis of technologically diagnostic attributes of debitage and tools. During the workshop, each participant produces a study (comparative) collection of technologically diagnostic tools and flakes.

Venue

AINW facilities in Portland, Oregon, include a covered outdoor structure specifically designed for experimental lithic reduction and an adjacent indoor classroom and laboratory. We can also provide workshops at your facilities.

Manner of Teaching

Instructors provide demonstrations and participants receive instruction in groups and one-on-one, while learning to make stone tools. Small groups of participants analyze the experimentally produced tools and flakes (or other by-products) to identify the key diagnostic attributes. The instructors provide training in this process and guide participants in recognizing traits that distinguish technologies.

There are no prerequisites for participants apart from a willingness to perform flintknapping and lithic reduction work outdoors and to study lithic materials in a classroom/laboratory setting. Participants are evaluated on the basis of attendance; effort and improvement in flintknapping; participation in group activities; and quizzes.