Knapping A Massive Brandon Flint Nodule with Dr. James Dilley

One of the most famous locations in the UK for flint is Grimes Graves and Brandon. For around 300 years between 2600 and 2300 BC Grimes Graves was mined for thousands of tonnes of high quality flint from the solid bedrock chalk. Earlier mines on the south coast had been dug for axe making flint, while Grimes Graves was primarily mined for flint that could be used for flake cores. The nearby town of Brandon is known for the gun flint trade that created millions of flints which were sent around the world. I was recently lucky enough to get special access to flint from the area including an absolutely enormous nodule! It was only right to share the breaking open of this massive lump of stone to see what is inside.
Filmed Edited & Produced by Emma Jones of ELWJ Media - www.elwjmedia.co.uk
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You can support the creation of these videos on our Patreon: / ancientcraftuk
To find out more about my flintknapping and experimental archaeology visit my website or follow me on social media!
Website: www.ancientcraft.co.uk/
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Пікірлер: 208

  • @tminefski
    @tminefski2 жыл бұрын

    Love to hear a rock sing in the reduction phase! Rock on!

  • @postictal7846
    @postictal78462 жыл бұрын

    I can imagine the Paleolithic version of Dr. Dilley teaching his family flint napping 200K years ago.

  • @ericnealsr9258
    @ericnealsr92582 жыл бұрын

    I live in Indiana USA and won a 50 lb nodule of Brandon at a local knapp- in. I can hardly wait to get into it. I've been knapping about 20 years. watching you make that handax has me excited about my chunk. That familiar sound has me foaming at the mouth. LOL Thank you Happy knappin

  • @PaleoGreenByrd
    @PaleoGreenByrd2 жыл бұрын

    How has this channel not come up on my feed before now? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

  • @waveman0
    @waveman02 жыл бұрын

    I would give anything to be able to get my hands on such large nodes of flint. They are magnificent mate.

  • @LaydlesLife

    @LaydlesLife

    2 жыл бұрын

    Right! You aren’t the only one drooling over that massive fucking boulder of beautiful flint.

  • @waveman0

    @waveman0

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@LaydlesLife particularly considering I live in Australia and flint is all but unheard of here.

  • @ancientcraftUK

    @ancientcraftUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    I bet the shipping to the US or Australia would be hilarious!

  • @waveman0

    @waveman0

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ancientcraftUK agreed, and again in these times of covid, a 60kg flint node would cost thousands of dollars to ship to me.

  • @LaydlesLife

    @LaydlesLife

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ancientcraftUK you are correct there, might as well just hop on a flight over there probably still end up spending less haha. I was wondering though do you go out and source all of this stone yourself?

  • @jonescrusher1
    @jonescrusher1 Жыл бұрын

    the change in pitch as it breaks off is immensely satisfying.

  • @toytoy1091
    @toytoy10912 жыл бұрын

    In the 1960's me & some friends explored every inch of the tunnels at Grimes Graves with torches. They were all open then, and quite remote and unknown to most people. Now they are all shut off with metal bars.

  • @ancientcraftUK

    @ancientcraftUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    Only a little jealous!

  • @johnnymitnick

    @johnnymitnick

    2 жыл бұрын

    Wow, that’s incredible. Wish things were still as open but people would probably trash them. I got to explore some old mines in the mountains of utah and even the most remote ones that took hours of research to identify and locate have bars in the openings. I thought maybe it was to stop illegal mining (the claim was still active) or to stop spelunkers but who knows. Thanks for sharing

  • @Ltngstrike
    @Ltngstrike2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing your experience with such famous lithic material! Well done Sir! Living in the U.S., the closest I've ever been to working any Brandon flint is through reading my copy of "On the manufacture of gun-flints" by Sydney B. J. Skertchly.

  • @angelwithbrokenwings2456

    @angelwithbrokenwings2456

    2 жыл бұрын

    Iiuuuui

  • @pamtnman1515

    @pamtnman1515

    2 жыл бұрын

    Let's Go Brandon!

  • @izabelabhering7041
    @izabelabhering70412 жыл бұрын

    Really amazing work! Thank you for another lesson!

  • @shawndilley2569
    @shawndilley25692 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video. Thank you from a fellow Dilley.

  • @MichaelBrown-zp1sf
    @MichaelBrown-zp1sf2 жыл бұрын

    As about a 10 year old boy I had an uncle that was an Indian relic Hunter. He would find arrowheads, spear points, Stone axes etc. I still remember one time he took me to a site on the Savannah River in South Carolina that was an ancient Indian settlement and in places the ground was literally littered with shards of Flint or churt. I can only imagine how many hundreds if not thousands of years the site was used.

  • @damlynch9295

    @damlynch9295

    2 жыл бұрын

    I can imagine all the points that are buried there

  • @brandonferrell828
    @brandonferrell8282 жыл бұрын

    It took me 11 minutes to realize the massive rock behind you was a tarp.

  • @TheSapientBean
    @TheSapientBean Жыл бұрын

    Just went down to La Hougue Bie, spoke to Derek, who told me about you Dr.Dilley, Glad to have met him and watched this video.

  • @DD-kc5pw
    @DD-kc5pw Жыл бұрын

    As a beginning knapper your detailed description of why the shockwaves travel the way they do was very enlightening. Thank you for that! You just picked up a new Patron.

  • @phrotojoe
    @phrotojoe2 жыл бұрын

    That looks like the best rock I've ever seen,send some over.

  • @steveclark5357
    @steveclark53572 ай бұрын

    you explain the process of lithic reduction very well sir, very well done

  • @jk07ist
    @jk07ist2 жыл бұрын

    What a fantastic nodule! Let’s go, Brandon!

  • @ChrisPBacon-jl7oc
    @ChrisPBacon-jl7oc2 жыл бұрын

    Also im so glad your back to uploading

  • @seandepoppe6716
    @seandepoppe67162 жыл бұрын

    Thank you that was really informative and impressive. Thanks for sharing

  • @locksmithmuggle
    @locksmithmuggle2 жыл бұрын

    The sound of knapping flint carries for miles. I imagine many tribes throughout history met this way

  • @jeroylenkins1745
    @jeroylenkins1745 Жыл бұрын

    That flint is so very musical

  • @jimajello1028
    @jimajello10282 жыл бұрын

    Greetings Dr. James Dilley. I have been a Lithic Technologist/Researcher involved in reconstructive Archaeology. Using only organic materials ( bone, stone, antler etc) for 30 years I have reconstructed core & blade, pecked & ground, & bifacial stone tools in application to gain information. I have collected 3 tons of Brandon Flint used for ballist from different harbors in North America (NJ., Pennsylvania, New York & Maryland). Could you share your knowledge on heat treatment of this material to make it more workable? Also, the principles of hydration in the ground and it's molecular expansion of the material. Since I seek to do only organic approaches I have found heat treatment very difficult without ruining the Flint. This video was a outstanding demonstration by you. Thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge. Vince James (Ajello)

  • @kenwintin3014
    @kenwintin30142 жыл бұрын

    As a knapper in the USA, I agree with Orion. I have to control myself to not be jealous of all those huge nodules. Keep up the good work and we can drool over you flint supply. Merry Christmas.

  • @watcherspirit2351
    @watcherspirit23512 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the best demonstration I've ever seen of this art.

  • @Joetech-tb7wd
    @Joetech-tb7wdАй бұрын

    Good work Doc

  • @oldgamerchick
    @oldgamerchick2 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful stones thank you for sharing

  • @artiomrusch6984
    @artiomrusch69842 жыл бұрын

    Lovely work

  • @Dominic.Minischetti
    @Dominic.Minischetti2 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely awesome brother!

  • @user-se8cw5vr4q
    @user-se8cw5vr4q4 ай бұрын

    Someone’s DNA is expressing!

  • @chriszerdzinski
    @chriszerdzinski2 жыл бұрын

    Amazing video chap. Subbed

  • @jonathanreynolds2227
    @jonathanreynolds22272 жыл бұрын

    Can you do a lot more of the over-the-shoulder angle, please? It's by far the most instructive about how you are tackling the problems thrown up by the flint.

  • @georgepretnick4460
    @georgepretnick44602 жыл бұрын

    Good video, there Doc. I'd love to access a big nodule of that Brandon flint. I'm down to loo tank ceramic and glass jar bottoms.

  • @richardwiley5933

    @richardwiley5933

    2 жыл бұрын

    We all have to start somewhere - I'm on glass bottles and cheap ceramic plates. It's all great learning material. 👍

  • @Naturallystated
    @Naturallystated2 жыл бұрын

    Well done! You make the flint look so forgiving. I have focused on obsidian which could be obtained through prehistoric trade networks in Southern California. Some of it is very difficult to work. It would be great for you to do a knapping comparison between flint and obsidian, if you have not already.

  • @garthkeck2003
    @garthkeck20032 жыл бұрын

    I expected it to take hours to do that beautiful hand axe. No wonder guys here in the USA are finding so many arrowheads. A couple of elders with talent like yours could do several in a day. Thank you for the tutorial.

  • @johnnyrotten6191
    @johnnyrotten61912 жыл бұрын

    I picked up a few palm sized stones while in the middle east for OIF. Happened upon a field of stone and, as I walked across, it sounded as if I was walking on chunks of glass. Broke one open and was amazed. Though many times smaller than what he has there, they looked identical, both internally and externally. Brought several home. My wife was incredulous that I would go to war and bring home "rocks" as souvenirs. Of course, being hugely into archery hunting, once I explained flint knapping and ancient arrowheads, she understood.........but still walked away shaking her head. Hey, you married me!... Still haven't touched them, as I know NOTHING about knapping.....yet. One of these days...

  • @richardwiley5933

    @richardwiley5933

    2 жыл бұрын

    Women love to say that men don't understand them, but, can't we say the same? This stuff is in our DNA, so they'll just have to live with it. 😁

  • @jameskolar9655
    @jameskolar965511 ай бұрын

    I’m not a knapper! I did enjoy this vid though, made special by your concise and clear explanations. Thank you.

  • @megaman992
    @megaman9922 жыл бұрын

    The amount of spall flakes you can get to make things from that is insane..

  • @ChrisPBacon-jl7oc
    @ChrisPBacon-jl7oc2 жыл бұрын

    Ive never seen a rock and been so happy

  • @rohraspy1590
    @rohraspy15902 жыл бұрын

    Just scrumptious!

  • @notmyworld44
    @notmyworld442 жыл бұрын

    I tried flint knapping once many years ago, myself, but never got very far with it. We lack the proper material in our area. I'm very glad I happened upon your channel this evening. Subscribed!

  • @American-Plague

    @American-Plague

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glass is a fine substitute..and free. Especially old T.V. screens (or even glass bottle bottoms for pressure flaking).

  • @notmyworld44

    @notmyworld44

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@American-Plague Odd you should say that. I have two large chunks of slag glass in my garden that I would love to dispose of. Got those from an Ozark mountain souvenir shop too many years ago. 😀👍

  • @kensanity178

    @kensanity178

    2 жыл бұрын

    I tried it years ago too, with this attitude: (how hard can it be? We all know what an arrowhead looks like. Hell, anyone can do that.) But it's not easy, and it takes practice, and perseverance, that I suspect few people have.

  • @notmyworld44

    @notmyworld44

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@kensanity178 True! I enjoyed this comment! 😊

  • @woodbeez6046
    @woodbeez60462 жыл бұрын

    Very cool. I subscribed.

  • @twothreebravo
    @twothreebravo2 жыл бұрын

    The absolutely beautiful ringing sound from that flint is amazing.

  • @gibsondrummer
    @gibsondrummer2 жыл бұрын

    In 200 thousand years some future paleo anthropologists are going to find your flint napping site and make a vide describing the activities of people in the post war period of so called “modern” human society on great Britain They will,describe in great detail the beautiful flakes left behind

  • @williamburdon6993
    @williamburdon69932 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating!

  • @michaelkelly8955
    @michaelkelly89552 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic.

  • @philwaters9751
    @philwaters97512 жыл бұрын

    Excellent stuff... xxx :-)

  • @eugenestandingbear6516
    @eugenestandingbear65162 жыл бұрын

    Love your handling of big pieces. You make it look easy , but I know it isn't. Good show.

  • @barryoconnor721
    @barryoconnor7212 жыл бұрын

    Let's go Brandon flint!

  • @antben
    @antben Жыл бұрын

    Great mastery.

  • @sarah-janemcconnell6661
    @sarah-janemcconnell66612 жыл бұрын

    It’s beautiful

  • @woodsinme
    @woodsinme2 жыл бұрын

    Very nice.

  • @kennethpensyl7791
    @kennethpensyl77912 жыл бұрын

    Amazing

  • @williewonka6694
    @williewonka66942 жыл бұрын

    Alright, Let's go Brandon!

  • @lifesforliving4929
    @lifesforliving49293 ай бұрын

    Excellent - I want that hand axe!

  • @fload46d
    @fload46d2 жыл бұрын

    I found a small worked piece here in northern Indiana. It was broken and not sure if it was a blade or an atlatl point or spear point. It was about 1 1/4" X 2" black flint.

  • @mt1452
    @mt14522 жыл бұрын

    Love your videos, it is interesting to learn about the European knapping traditions. I would love to see your take on a cody point from over here though, as it seems totally different from anything you guys have over there.

  • @jimajello1028
    @jimajello10282 жыл бұрын

    Dr. Dilly I truly enjoy your videos & knowledge that you share. I noticed when you are percussion striking your Bifaces freehand sometimes upon the strike the biface tends to lower it's hand held position. Doesn't that change the actual angle of contact with the billet? If your wrist was supported on your leg pad better support would give more exacting point of strike, energy transference, & save excessive vibration from being transfered into the wrist /hand area? Respectfully, Vincent James Ajello

  • @bottling.hobo.
    @bottling.hobo.2 жыл бұрын

    Let's go Brandon Flint nodule!

  • @froggystyle642

    @froggystyle642

    2 жыл бұрын

    I might be subbed to this channel, but I came looking for this

  • @joerobertson3478
    @joerobertson34782 жыл бұрын

    Killing me!!!

  • @et7100
    @et71002 жыл бұрын

    That stuff is making my mouth water. You are lucky. I could never have such luck. Make a Danish dagger

  • @johngrissom9147
    @johngrissom91472 жыл бұрын

    Nice work!!! Do you ever sell any of the flacks you chip off???

  • @greenjack1959l
    @greenjack1959l Жыл бұрын

    That bit of Cortex is playing havoc with my OCD, lol!

  • @vitosmandolinadventures8466
    @vitosmandolinadventures84662 жыл бұрын

    Hi there! Brilliant job! Would you be able to make another video how to make flint knap for wall?

  • @ancientcraftUK

    @ancientcraftUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    I’ve never actually done any masonry or flushwork knapping before. Essentially it’s taking chunks and trimming them unifacially like a giant scraper

  • @adroaldoribeiro4529
    @adroaldoribeiro45292 жыл бұрын

    Bro, you look like Alexander Dreymon. Stupendous work with that stone 👏

  • @youlemur
    @youlemur Жыл бұрын

    thank you for your content, and i have two questions that might give you some ideas for future videos :) what is the difference between knapping and chipping and subsequently knapped and chipped stone industry? what is the difference between blades, or bladed tools, and flaked tools? if you can make one.. thanks .)

  • @gmill2316
    @gmill23162 жыл бұрын

    I’d love to get ahold of a few spalls of that!! Ive knapped all types of North American materials but there’s something about the European true flint that I just lust over.

  • @scotthaddad563
    @scotthaddad5632 жыл бұрын

    Well, Let’s Go Brandon! Flint that is.

  • @thomasdykstra100
    @thomasdykstra1002 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful audio...

  • @crow1066
    @crow10662 жыл бұрын

    The sound of the flint nodules and the hammer stones sound almost like a strike onto cast iron. In amongst making flint axes etc, are you able to identify other peoples knapping style by comparison to yours in the present day knapping community?

  • @stevewebster5729
    @stevewebster57292 жыл бұрын

    Have you ever tried to produce a large core from a block like that, such as the one found by Wessex up near Silbury Hill. It would obviously need to be a block of flint that will stay 'whole', but there's a challenge for you : )

  • @ancientcraftUK

    @ancientcraftUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    It’s been on my challenge list for a while. They really look very sculptural, clearly made by a confident knapper

  • @brianjohnson8918
    @brianjohnson89182 жыл бұрын

    Ah, dang. I though this was a movie about Kidnaping a massive guy named Brandon!

  • @RedEyedPatriot

    @RedEyedPatriot

    2 жыл бұрын

    One could only have hoped. 😂

  • @pittuk6500
    @pittuk65002 жыл бұрын

    Not the Brandon i was expecting, but still a good video!

  • @LuxisAlukard
    @LuxisAlukard2 жыл бұрын

    On average, how much bigger is piece of flint compared to finished product (axe head or hand axe)? Five, six times bigger, maybe? Thanks for the video, it's great!

  • @oleary651
    @oleary6512 жыл бұрын

    I was wondering where to find such a stone I live in newfoundland and was wondering what type of area I need to start looking

  • @theabhorrentchef7226
    @theabhorrentchef72262 жыл бұрын

    That’s a nice sized chunk of flint. It’s not quite large enough to make a proper flint sword though. We must continue the search

  • @integr8er66
    @integr8er662 жыл бұрын

    I have SOOOOO much grey flint and chert on my property and its really a bit of a pain in the back. When you grade the roads you can plan on some flat tires until it gets laid over. At any rate I've been trying to find a way to sell it, or let people hunt for the pieces they want for a little extra money.

  • @geoffreybudge3027
    @geoffreybudge30272 жыл бұрын

    In America we have chert mostly which can be heated and worked . Black colored stone is not heat treated . I was given a piece of Danish flint already a flake it’s self and as I banged on that stone it was almost impossible to flake . I take my hat of to those across the pond who have the strength and stratagem to work these wonderful stones . 🇺🇸😃😃

  • @greenjack1959l
    @greenjack1959l2 жыл бұрын

    My mouth is watering, Lol!

  • @garycousino4016
    @garycousino40162 жыл бұрын

    Believe early English ships to North America carried flint as ballast to trade with the indians

  • @Wildernessquestoutdoors
    @Wildernessquestoutdoors2 жыл бұрын

    Good stuff, English flint is tough to chip

  • @jamebrooke894
    @jamebrooke894 Жыл бұрын

    A bit??? That's a mini Boulder!!

  • @davidjohnson-pz2df
    @davidjohnson-pz2df2 жыл бұрын

    AND you smell the flint !!!!!

  • @danchampion5197
    @danchampion51972 жыл бұрын

    Let's go Brandon!

  • @davidbond7706
    @davidbond77064 ай бұрын

    Any chance I could purchase some of that flint from you?

  • @dallacosta2868
    @dallacosta28682 жыл бұрын

    Mr. James, out of curiosity, do you use hearing protection when knapping?

  • @ancientcraftUK

    @ancientcraftUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    I don't as it's not too noisy. For a comparison blacksmithing would be much louder than flintknapping.

  • @davidlatimer3567
    @davidlatimer35672 жыл бұрын

    I watch a lot of knapping videos. I appreciate your straight forward educational style. And your skill level. Do you realize what it does to a fellow knapper stuck here in the states to see so much beautiful flint and not be able to aquire any? I've searched the web for Danish and English flint. I'd like to get 200 to 300 pounds for my own use. Yet can't find a source. Will Lord ignores my pleas. Perhaps you could point me in the right direction. This year I had the great honor of sitting down with Greg Nunn of Utah. He was telling me of a trip to your part of the world and the things he learned about the Danish dagger. Do you know of him? Thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge Dave Latimer Full time Nomad,USA

  • @ancientcraftUK

    @ancientcraftUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    I certainly know of Greg Nunn and his amazing work! The only UK quarry I know of that will ship flint internationally is Needham Chalks. They ship flint by the tonne bag and send it all over the world

  • @et7100

    @et7100

    2 жыл бұрын

    They were not no where near as big but Craig Rattiz with nothilic's is the only one I know of .good luck. If you find a big score remember me.

  • @davidlatimer3567

    @davidlatimer3567

    2 жыл бұрын

    ET wonder what a tonne cost?

  • @et7100

    @et7100

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@davidlatimer3567 if it is under $1000 a ton, I'll take 2.

  • @davidlatimer3567

    @davidlatimer3567

    2 жыл бұрын

    I contacted the quarry and they emailed a name and a number. As soon as I land somewhere warm I will call.

  • @nokiot9
    @nokiot92 жыл бұрын

    Does all silica come from diatoms?

  • @reecetaylor2626
    @reecetaylor26262 жыл бұрын

    What could one use in place of an antler

  • @BryanCrowson
    @BryanCrowson2 жыл бұрын

    Dr. Dilley, have you had a shard of flint hit your safety goggles hard enough that it would have injured your eye, if you were unprotected? How frequently do you reckon that ancient people suffered eye injuries from this process?

  • @ancientcraftUK

    @ancientcraftUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, a couple of times. But the worst time was when I was overseeing someone else having a go. A flake detached with force and deflected off a piece on the ground. I think it might have happen occasionally in the past, but the circumstances of my story are very very rare

  • @carolnorton2551
    @carolnorton25512 жыл бұрын

    are the fossil inclusions also flint or are they some other stone?

  • @causewaykayak
    @causewaykayak2 жыл бұрын

    You ever watch Will Lord (knapper) making stone tools ?

  • @johncicero5980
    @johncicero59802 жыл бұрын

    New meaning to LETS GO BRANDON!

  • @dooleyfussle8634
    @dooleyfussle86342 жыл бұрын

    All that debitage! What are your plans for responsibly disposing of it? I have maybe a hundredth of what you have and am perplexed as to what to do with it so as not to confuse some future archeologist. By the way, even my tiny amount is already tremendously heavy and difficult to store and move!

  • @ancientcraftUK

    @ancientcraftUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    I collect the useful flakes for arrowhead blanks and flake tools but the rest of the debitage is collected up and taken to the quarry where it is crushed and used for hard core. I definitely produce plenty of waste flakes and between quarry trips I need lots of buckets to contain them. When I'm not knapping for a video I usually knap over a bucket to catch the flakes and check for any that have strayed after. Loading the truck on quarry days is tiring! I take waste material and return with a boot of fresh flint

  • @steveraney9094
    @steveraney90942 жыл бұрын

    that rock wants to snuggle in that gravel pile behind u says you both can get more comfortable

  • @francismarcoux8944
    @francismarcoux8944 Жыл бұрын

    Hand axe is mostly usefull to de articulate fast a leg or the head. Usefull if your steeling part of a predator kill

  • @airdrop1670
    @airdrop16702 жыл бұрын

    Man that's hard , sounds almost like hitting a anvil .

  • @flatwater5
    @flatwater52 жыл бұрын

    "Let's go, Brandon!"

  • @francismarcoux8944
    @francismarcoux8944 Жыл бұрын

    Lucky

  • @bobbymoore1615
    @bobbymoore16152 жыл бұрын

    Have you found any gold in your flint or used a detector to check ????

  • @ancientcraftUK

    @ancientcraftUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    I wish!

  • @scottmacleay7018
    @scottmacleay70182 жыл бұрын

    I'm from Brandon suffolk!