What is BC VIII

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BC VIII stands for the 8th annual Beaver Creek Knap-In and Primitive Skills Gathering, located at scenic Beaver Creek Camp, approximately 12 miles north of Stuart, Nebraska in the north central part of the state. Beaver creek is a tributary of the Niobrara River.

Flintknapping is the ancient process of removing flakes with percussion or pressure tools, from a suitable  stone, to produce arrow heads, spear points, and other ancient tools, utilized by ancient man. A knap-in is a gathering of practitioners of this ancient art who get together as a group for several days to practice their craft, as well as share knowledge about the technology as well as history of knapping. BCVIII is unique in that it is also a harmonious blending of other aspects of primitive skills besides the knapping, such as primitive pottery making, primitive archery, atlatls, making friction fires with sticks, and edible and medicinal native plant usage and identification, and more.

Open to the general public, with an educational cultural history focus and hands on learning, BC VIII  is  one of the few gatherings of this type in the country.  As part of our multi- educational focus and to help foster a better spirit of communication and knowledge between professionals and avocationals, we endeavor to host presenters who are some of the tops in their respective fields. For BC II we had Dr. Steven Holen, a native Nebraskan who is currently curator of archaeology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  Steve is one of the top Paleo Archaeologists in the Plains region and is well known for his study of several sites in the region that have produced mammoth bones with distinctive characteristic flaking much like those from flaking stone, which appear to be man-made. The really interesting aspect is that some of these bones pre-date the Clovis people, the oldest currently accepted by the academic community in North America.

We also had the privilege to have Bob Patten, one of the top flintknappers in the world present for two days at BC II,  BC III,  BCIV , BCV, BCVI, BCVII, and again for BCVIII.  Bob is the author of "Old Tools, New Eyes", an educational book about flintknapping, and the newly released "Peoples of the Flute" a study in anthropolithic forensics.  Bob has worked with archaeologists from around the country, and has also been included in some educational television documentaries.

Spend a day, or camp with us, and view or experience as much of the hands-on primitive skills as you like. View displays of primitive art work that ranks among the best in the country. Educational and fun! BC VII is sponsored by Spirit in the Wind Enterprises  www.spiritinthewind.com