About The Prehistoric Workshop

Welcome to the website of The Prehistoric Workshop. We are a Community Interest Company (CIC) founded in 2020 and our mission is to promote prehistoric archaeology, a greater understanding of our local history, access to nature and traditional crafts. Being a CIC means we operate for the benefit of the community and not for shareholders. We experiment with prehistoric methods of building, farming, and crafting, informed by the archaeological evidence found within the East Midlands. We deliver workshops for all in flint-knapping, flax processing, spinning, weaving and ancient textiles, pottery, basketry, and soon bronze-casting. We use a combination of experimental archaeology, real agriculture, field-walking and test-pit digs to shine a light on Leicestershire’s prehistoric past.

On this website you will find step by step guides in Flax Processing and Flint-knapping, coppicing, and hafting stone tools, which explain the processes we have used and the results of our stone age experiments. To read about our research projects and collaborations, click HERE. To see some of our past outreach work, click HERE.

If you would like to take part in a workshop click HERE to see what’s on. If you would like a workshop in your area, please get in touch.

We are currently applying for planning permission to build a roundhouse and establish a replica ancient farmstead on our new dedicated site in Leicestershire. The site is a stone’s throw from an incredible Iron Age fort, and we are delighted to be able to enhance the heritage interpretation of this special site by situating our activities so close by. Once established, the farmstead and roundhouse will serve as an education centre for all people to engage with heritage crafts, nature, and community experiences. Stay tuned for updates, and email us to join our mailing list.

theprehistoricworkshop@gmail.com

With thanks to Carol Gurnham for the above images.

Neil and Steph are dedicated to sharing the skills of ancient handcrafts, whether through workshops, demonstrations, or public talks. Their love of prehistory began when they found a neolithic polished stone axehead during a Fieldwalking session with the Leicestershire Fieldworkers which prompted them to think about how sophisticated and advanced stone age people must have been. Neil took up flint-knapping to compliment his already honed skills of building and tool-making, and Steph took up Pottery and all things flax related, and continued with her obsession for learning about plants. Neil decided it would be good to build a roundhouse, Steph decided it would be good to plant crops and native flowers, together it is their mission to establish the ancient Farm. They know from first-hand experience the potential that archaeology and ancient crafts have to bring people of all ages, abilities and interests together to experience nature, shared heritage and community experiences.

They regularly volunteer on community archaeology digs with University of Leicester Archaeological Services, as well as local fieldworking groups. They have been part of establishing an amateur Geophysical Surveying Group to aid local historical and archaeological societies, and they are both committee members for Leicestershire Fieldworkers and Council for British Archaeology East Midlands.