Search Images and Foraging: Unlocking Your Natural Instincts
Search Images and Foraging: Unlocking Your Natural Instincts Foraging starts with creating a “search image” in your mind—a mental picture of what you’re looking for. This skill helps you identify food, medicine, and materials while connecting deeply with nature. What Are Search Images? Search images are mental snapshots of plants or resources, focusing on features […]
Experimental Archaeology in the Amazon: Lessons from Tradition and Science
Discovering Tradition in the Ecuadorian Amazon While traveling to the Ecuadorian Amazon, I was immersed in a world of traditional activities that revealed a profound connection between culture and survival. One particular experience stood out: escaping the intense heat and humidity by diving into the brown, rushing river infused with Amazonian soil. As I cooled […]
What is Experimental Archaeology (part 2)
How Indigenous Peoples Use the Yucca Plant Ascher discusses the methods Indigenous peoples in the Americas use to work with the yucca plant. He writes: “A rib from the North Shelter… was used to remove the pulp…in less time than was anticipated, the strand of fibers was freed from the coarser bark and pulp. After […]
What is Experimental Archaeology
“What is Experimental Archaeology—is it Making, Understanding, Storytelling?” By: Max Gordon Experimental archaeology is a hands-on approach to understanding the past by recreating ancient cultures’ objects, technologies, and processes. This essay will explore three core aspects of experimental archaeology: the physical crafting of artifacts (“making” or “doing”), the intellectual exploration of methods and theories […]
Freeing the Inner-Child from the Pressures of Normalization Forces
Freeing the Inner-Child from the Pressures of Normalization Forces Written by: Max Gordon “It is an often-repeated number that about 30 species of plants are eaten by a typical American in one year… The Hausa foragers of West Africa utilized 119 food plants.” – Arthur Haines. When I work with children in the local forests, […]
Biomimicry
“How Can We Help The Helpers?” Activating the Macro & Micro Biomes December 3, 2015 Written by: Max Gordon A new wave of thinking is occurring. Janine Benyus said it best during her appearance at the “SXSW Eco 2015.” A crisis is occurring. Human health is suffering; we are no longer evolving but degenerating. Biodiversity is suffering. […]
The Use of Teeth in Ancestral Skills: a Prehistoric and Modern ReWilding Retrospective
Written By: Frank Knott, Lead Instructor of LionMan ReWilding Teeth and the associated jaw muscles are among the body’s most overlooked and underutilized parts. They are a long-forgotten tool of our ancestors. In a recent study, scientists studied the teeth of the Mesolithic population of the Croatian peninsula to determine their diet, primarily fish […]
Acorn Time!
Acorn Time! Did you know acorns have sustained humans for thousands of years? From ancient Native Americans to European and Korean cultures, these nuts were more than just survival food—they were a staple, rich in nutrients and history. Today, I’ll show you how to harvest and prepare acorns just as our ancestors did, offering […]
Leek Valley
Wandering through the forest with the children, we looked for a new place to explore. Botanically speaking, it’s mid-spring. Plants are very selective and intelligent and can tell us a lot about the cycle of the season. Crawling through the culvert, I see something with long, vibrant green leaves growing near the damp, earthy ground. […]
5-Day Plant Foraging Challenge
Plant Foraging Challenge Day 1: Introduction to Wild-Plant Foraging Challenge: Find a field guide or a reliable online resource on wild edible plants. Identify three common edible plants in your area and learn about their characteristics, seasons, and potential uses. I’d recommend Arthur Haines, Roger Hammer, and Samuel Thayer as producers of reputable plant foraging guides. […]