Top 10 Artefacts for Teaching the Stone Age to Primary School Children

Teaching the Stone Age can be a fascinating experience for primary school children, especially when they can see and touch artefacts from the era. Using real or replica artefacts brings history to life and helps children understand how early humans lived, worked, and survived. Here are the top ten artefacts that can make Stone Age lessons engaging and educational.

1. Flint Tools

Flint tools were essential for survival in the Stone Age. Early humans used flint to create sharp cutting tools, such as hand axes, scrapers, and arrowheads. These tools were used for hunting, skinning animals, and cutting wood. By examining flint tools, children can learn about early craftsmanship and the importance of tool-making in human evolution.

Activity Idea:

Provide children with images or replicas of flint tools and ask them to guess their uses.
Let them try shaping soap bars with wooden tools to mimic flint knapping.

2. Animal Bones and Antlers

Early humans used animal bones and antlers to create tools, weapons, and ornaments. These materials were crucial for survival, as they were used to make needles for sewing, fish hooks, and even spear tips.

Activity Idea:

Show children different animal bones and discuss how they might have been used in the Stone Age.
Create simple ‘bone’ jewellery using clay or beads to represent prehistoric adornments.

3. Stone Age Pottery

Although the Stone Age is often associated with rough tools, people also made pottery towards the later part of the era. Early pottery was handmade and used for cooking, storage, and even rituals. Examining pottery shards can teach children about early art and technology.

Activity Idea:

Give children clay and let them make their own Stone Age-style pots using simple hand-building techniques.
Discuss how people cooked before metal pots and how pottery changed their way of life.

4. Cave Paintings and Engraved Stones

Cave paintings give us a glimpse into the minds of Stone Age people. These paintings, often depicting animals and hunting scenes, were an early form of storytelling and communication. Engraved stones with symbols or patterns also provide insight into early artistic expression.

Activity Idea:

Let children create their own ‘cave paintings’ using charcoal or natural pigments on paper or stones.
Discuss what these paintings might have meant and what stories they tell.

5. Replica Stone Age Jewellery

Early humans made jewellery from shells, bones, and beads. These items were likely worn for decoration, status, or spiritual reasons. Examining Stone Age jewellery helps children understand that people have always expressed themselves through personal adornments.

Activity Idea:

Provide children with beads and string to create their own ‘Stone Age’ necklaces.
Discuss what materials Stone Age people would have used and why jewellery might have been important to them.

6. Wooden Pots with Skin Lids

Stone Age people made simple containers from wood, often covering them with animal skins to store food and liquids. These early containers were essential for survival, helping to transport water and preserve food.

Activity Idea:

Discuss with children how different materials were used for making storage containers before metal or ceramic pots existed.
Let children create their own mini-containers using natural materials like bark and fabric.

7. Scallop Shells

Scallop shells were used for various purposes, including as tools for scraping, as containers, and even as ornaments. These items give insight into how early humans utilized natural resources efficiently.

Activity Idea:

Show children different types of shells and discuss how they might have been used in the Stone Age.
Let children decorate shells with natural dyes to mimic early ornamentation.

8. Flint Scrapers

Flint scrapers were used for processing animal hides, cutting meat, and shaping wood. These tools were crucial for making clothing and shelters.

Activity Idea:

Let children examine flint scraper replicas and guess how they were used.
Provide fabric and wooden tools for children to ‘scrape’ and simulate the hide preparation process.

9. Stone Axes

Stone axes were powerful tools used for cutting down trees, shaping wood, and even in hunting. These heavy-duty tools marked significant advancements in early human technology.

Activity Idea:

Discuss how stone axes were made and used in daily life.
Provide children with soft modeling material to carve their own mini ‘axes.’

10. Charred Food Remains

Archaeologists have discovered charred food remains from the Stone Age, showing that people cooked meat and plants over fire. Studying food remains helps us understand early diets and cooking methods.

Activity Idea:

Discuss with children what types of food Stone Age people ate and how they prepared it.
Have a simple ‘Stone Age feast’ using fruits, nuts, and cooked meat to give children a taste of prehistoric life.

Conclusion

Using artefacts to teach the Stone Age brings history to life and allows children to explore the past in an interactive way. Whether through handling flint tools, creating cave paintings, or making simple pottery, these artefacts help children connect with the lives of early humans. By making lessons hands-on and immersive, teachers can spark curiosity and a love for history in their students.