A 10,000-YEAR-OLD axe, ancient animal skulls and flint tools were just some of the Stone Age artefacts that children at Gainford Primary School examined during a special workshop.
The session was made possible through a visit by The Bowes Museum’s education officers as part of their outreach programme.
Education assistant Diane Simpson told the children that the flint tools Stone Age people used were quite sophisticated and took a long time to make, but would not last long.
This changed, however, when they discovered metal.
She said: “They learned that if they heat up different metals they change and get stronger.”
After examining the different Stone Age objects the children tested their artistic skills by making sketches of them.
Later they made their own coil pots.
Ms Simpson said the outreach programme was initiated to encourage organisations and groups involved with the museum when they would otherwise not be able to afford to, or have difficulties attending.
Other themes the education officers offer include Tudor times and the Egyptians.
