Let’s Knap: Experiences in Teaching Lithic Studies in South Asia

ABSTRACT

South Asian prehistoric sites have rich and diverse lithic assemblages. The paucity of associated fossil evidence necessitates a strong focus on lithics for studies of hominin cognition. However, pedagogical approaches in Indian prehistory primarily focus on print/online content, wherein students get scarce opportunities to handle artefacts or experience processes of tool manufacture and use. Here, we discuss our initiatives in designing courses on South Asian prehistory focused on experimental knapping and structured to enhance skills and foster critical thinking. We present an overview of the conceptual and methodological approaches adopted, with implications for experimenting with different pedagogical approaches and exploring learning trajectories. We highlight issues of interest not only for the present and future but also for exploring aspects of knowledge transmission in the past. We advocate for the inclusion of sustained experimental components whilst teaching prehistory in South Asia.

KEYWORDS:

• Experimental archaeology
• India
• lithic knapping
• pedagogy
• public outreach
• prehistory

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Dietrich Stout for inspiring us to write this paper. We thank Professor Yanni Gunnell and Dr. Dietrich Stout for reading through drafts of this paper and providing their critical comments and suggestions. Logistic and financial support was provided by the Sharma Center for Heritage Education (SCHE), India. We are grateful to the staff of the SCHE, and to the participants of these workshops, without whom this publication would not be possible. Dr. Prachi Joshi participated as a volunteer in many of these workshops. We thank the Homi Bhabha Fellowship Council, India, the Earthwatch Foundation, USA, the Leakey Foundation, USA and Fundación Palarq, for supporting our research projects; and the Archaeological Survey of India and Department of Archaeology, State Government of Tamil Nadu for granting licenses for fieldwork.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kumar Akhilesh

Dr. Kumar Akhilesh is a prehistorian specialising in lithic studies and experimental knapping. He is also involved in development of public outreach programs and pedagogy at the Institute.

Shanti Pappu

Professor Shanti Pappu is a prehistorian interested in human origins and public outreach.