April 28, 2025
Contact: Eric Stann, StannE@missouri.edu
Photos by Abbie Lankitus and Reagan Manis

CRACK! The sharp snap of stone striking stone echoes across the room — a sound straight out of the Stone Age.

Welcome to the ancient art of flint knapping, where University of Missouri students are discovering just how challenging it is to shape raw material into refined tools without modern technology.

This hands-on experience is at the heart of experimental archaeology, a new course offered through Mizzou’s College of Arts and Science. Co-taught by Emma Buckingham and Jeff Ferguson, the class gives students a rare opportunity to roll up their sleeves and experience the ancient world through their own hands by recreating tools and technologies from thousands of years ago.

Each week, students tackle a mix of classroom learning and practical lab work — everything from crafting stone tools to metal casting. It’s not just about making cool stuff; it’s also about building skills in critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving — all key competencies for a future career in anthropology, archaeology or museum work.

“Students have to think through multiple variables, adjust their methods and troubleshoot when things don’t go as planned,” Ferguson, an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology, said. “They’re learning how to ask questions, test ideas and draw meaningful conclusions based on real data.”