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David Wescott

Primitive Technology: A Book of Earth Skills Paperback – March 26, 2001

by David Wescott (Editor)

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Living in modern society, we have become increasingly disassociated from the earth, from the essence of ourselves, and the need is awakened in us to return to the wilderness--physically and emotionally. We long to feel a sense of connection with our ancient roots. This urge is what has prompted man's fascination with primitive skills: producing objects from natural materials using methods similar to prehistoric cultures.
Primitive Technology: A Book of Earth Skills is a sharing of ideas--the philosophies, the history, and the personal stories by the authorities on primitive technology from teh pages of The Bulletin of Primitive Technology.
Included are instructions for creating fire and tools of wood, stone, and bone, as well as fiber adhesives, projectiles, art, and music. Practicing these primitive methods will lead the seeker towards a tangible, raw connection with the ancient past, with nature's resources and, ultimately, with the creative forces that constructed the foundation of man's survival on the planet.

Print length

232 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Gibbs Smith
Publication date

March 26, 2001
Dimensions

8.19 x 0.59 x 10.88 inches
ISBN-10

0879059117
ISBN-13

978-0879059118
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4.6 out of 5

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Richard Schwartz

Communication

Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2008

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It has occurred to me that a primitive technology for instant communication has existed for a long time: heliography. All you need it silver or gold metallurgy to make a decent mirror. A very simple way to precisely aim a beam of sunlight from a mirror exists, for the geomentrically unimpaired. With a large mirror, signalling from one mountain peak to another over distances of 50 miles is achievable.

I wonder if any ancient empires practiced this. The crusader kingdoms in Lebanon used fire beacons to indicate they had not yet been overrun by those pesky Arabs and Kurds, but there was no actual telegraphing of text. The earliest telegraph I know of was done in Sweden in the early 19th century, by semaphore assisted with telescopes. Sunny day and batteries not required, as long as there was daylight and a clear view.

One thing about this book... I went out right away, cut off a yucca spine, and started making string out of it. Yep, it really works (but is very labor intensive). Stone chipping was not so successful because you really need the right kind of stone. I've GOT TO TRY IT when I find a good stone!

3 people found this helpful

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Randy J. Mercurio

Curious about primitive technology?

Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2008

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If you are curious about what primitive technology is about this book will give you a good introduction. Lots of cool drawings and pics but don't expect step by step, hand held instructions for the multitude of topics covered in this compilation. If you don't know much about this stuff then some vocabulary may be new to you such as atlatls, celt, haft, biface, pecking and the list goes on. It was new for me but I found that my interests grew deeper and soon found myself buying books on flintknapping (did I have money for that...?) which I knew next to nothing about not too long ago. Inspirational in so many regards with some reasonable instruction from pics and words combined but I think these articles were intended for those with some background in the subject. Many short articles with great tidbits for the outdoorsman. A taste of this and a flavor of that by leading authorities whose expertise is compiled into one book. I recommend it highly not only for the curious but the outdoorsman, survivalist and tinkerer! I love that little knife in the middle foreground on the cover!

9 people found this helpful

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Murat Ozveri

A good reference book for everybody's library

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2012

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I bought the book to learn more about throwing/killing sticks (non-returning boomerangs)and found more than I had expected. The chapter about throwing sticks is very well-written with a lot of first-hand information and know-how. It is not a book of survival skills, just an academic approach to the life of our ancestors, would satisfied scientifically/academically curious reader (Since it was written by American archaelogists with the support of excavations and research made on this continent, there may be some gaps for European reader). Besides, it includes some practical, useful how-to's for outdoormen and enthusiasts of primitive weapons. Another chapter about other hand-thrown weapons are good too but I was expecting more from the part about atlatls. I liked the evidence-and research-based structure of the book, found the illustrations clear and explanatory, but the quality of (all black&white) photographs is less than optimal. In general, it is a good reference book that should be kept in the library.

3 people found this helpful

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Reverend Mojo

geared for intermediate level Practitioners

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2014

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First off, If you want a book that details how to start learning earth skills...
This isn't your book, This book is for individuals who already have somewhat of a grasp of the basics and are looking for ideas and ways to perfect their skills...
Example; While it doesn't detail all the ways to learn friction fire... It does provide subtle nuances to the various methods of primitive firecraft that when applied, will enhance and improve your firemaking experience.
Look to this book after you have a solid foundation, and use it to take your abilities even higher.

9 people found this helpful

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Trelligan

Readable copy of the Editorial Review

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2009

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Product Description
8 3/16 x 10 7/8 in, 232 pp, 100 Black & white photographs, 150 line drawings.
Have you ever longed to return to a past where humanity's greatest concern was survival, when our hands created life's necessities, when the land's raw provisions were the materials with which we created warmth, shelter, food, and tools--a time before we lost our bond with the wilderness? Primitive technology helps build a bridge between the ancient past and our modern lives, putting us in touch again with nature and ourselves. This volume--a selection of articles within the bulletin of primitive technology--portrays the history, philosophy and personal journeys of authorities on primitive technology, imparting skills that built the success of mankind. From views on primitive technology and "new" archaeology to making fire and tools of bone, this book is informative and enlightening
-From the inside flap

Contents
Foreword
Section 1--Primitive technology
Section 2--Fire--where we begin
Section 3--Bone, stone & wood--basic elements
Section 4--Fibers--holding the world together
Section 5--Projectiles--power from the human hand
Section 6--Art & music--discipline and meaning

One person found this helpful

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Elaine Hughes

Good purchase

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2021

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It's a great book with good illustrations. Well made and informative.

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Brent b.

Want to learn primitive skills? Get this book

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2020

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Delivery was fast. Book was in pretty good shape. Book has really nice detailed drawings of processes, for example- stone tool making, knapping illustrations and working with bone. If you want to learn various friction fire methods, then get this book

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Bernard E. Bradley

Wow, a winner

Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2012

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If you like or love the outdoors, or even curious about how early man did things, this is the book for you to really learn. From building shelters, making weapons and tools.
Did you know they had a rock that was sharper than a operating room scapel. They show a microscope comparison, the stone was way sharper.

This is a book you will keep handy to pick up and re read time and again.
Its amazing how well thy used such primative tools, grass, and plants to do so many things. Even using a certain tree bark which has some of the same ingredients as asprin.

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Top reviews from other countries

Patagaway

cannot say enough about how great this book is!

Reviewed in Canada on January 14, 2013

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when I stumbled upon this book and its sister book I was as pleased as Punch. This has been a lifelong interest of mine and this book is a gold mine I cannot say enough good things about it and I recommend it highly.

3 people found this helpful

Shane Lybbert

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on January 8, 2017

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Lots of great information from experts I .respect

wonderful book

Reviewed in Canada on October 18, 2014

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Fascinating descriptions of early technologies, with diagrams, photos, and detailed steps to recreate. A good read.

Tony

shop elsewhere

Reviewed in Canada on January 17, 2018

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Not at all what I was expecting, nor as it was advertised. I was expecting something with a coherent path to teach me interesting things. What I got were vague descriptions and terrible accompanying pictures. There are numerous far better books for this information.

One person found this helpful

Penny

Shipping was great! Bought this as a gift and the recipient ...

Reviewed in Canada on January 17, 2016

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Shipping was great! Bought this as a gift and the recipient was very pleased with this book

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Primitive Technology: A Book of Earth Skills Paperback – March 26, 2001

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