‘Knap In’ at Flint Ridge Preserves Rich Area History

Hundreds gathered at Flint Ridge September 5 to preserve Native American history with the largest ‘Knap-In’ in the world.

Flint ‘knapping’ is the process of creating arrow-heads, spear points and tools. ‘Knappers’ from all over the country and even Sweden and Canada joined together in the very place where Native Americans came 10,000 years ago. While the settlers this weekend aren’t in search of deer to eat, they are gathered to honor those who settled before them. David Kuhn was among the group. He traveled from Portsmouth Ohio to join his fellow Knappers but this isn’t his first experience with flint.

“I’ve been collecting pre-historic artifacts for 45 years and the area that I live in, in Scioto County, is rich in in habitation by the pre-historic Native Americans and so as a younger boy I started looking in the plowed ground after it rained,” said Kuhn. “Sometimes the farmer would turn up flint and you would find chips of flint you’d figure the Native Americans lived there so you’d find an arrowhead or two and so that got me started.”

While it started with just a few arrowheads on the farm, Kuhn’s passion for the history grew throughout his life and he even took it upon himself to try to save grounds he believed Native Americans once settled on.

“I didn’t want it destroyed or the artifacts so they gave me permission,” said Kuhn. “I had to archaeologists come down from Columbus and for one whole summer we excavated the area where it was occupied by Native Americans. 5,000 years ago, these people were living there we were trying to salvage what was there before the county destroyed it with their buildings.That they were going to build. It’s a good feeling to do that. Sometimes the construction destroys things you know and then they’re gone. But we’re doing what we can to promote the preservation of history. ”

The ‘Knap In’ continues Sunday for those interested in meeting those who vow to remember Native American culture.