Saturday, October 25

Ancient Fire Making and Prehistoric Light

By Railway Land Wildlife Trust

Hands-on day to learn ancient fire-making techniques, ending in a unique exploration of prehistoric lamps and lighting

Date and time

Location

Linklater Pavilion, Railway Lane

Railway Lane Lewes BN7 2FG United Kingdom

Good to know

Highlights

6 hours
In person

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

About this event

We'll begin with an introduction to fire-starting techniques likely used by prehistoric and ancient communities in our landscape. You'll start with fire by percussion, using locally found resources like flint, iron pyrites, and tinder fungus to try to make fire. Inspired by Ötzi the Iceman, one of the oldest and most well-preserved human mummies ever discovered, you'll experiment with similar tools and learn how early humans transported and preserved fire for survival and ritual. Explore the fire-starting kits uncovered in Bronze Age burial sites and delve into their deeper cultural and ritual significance. You'll also try your hand at fire by friction, using a bow drill to create fire—a method that, while rarely preserved in archaeological records, has deep cultural and technological roots in ancient communities.

Lighting Techniques: After mastering fire, explore the history of lighting methods. Learn about stone lamps used in our ancestors' homes, Paleolithic caves and flint mines, and the evolution of fire-lighting from wooden tapers to Roman oil lamps and rushlights. You’ll make your own fir candles and rushlights to take home.

Fire in Cultural Traditions:Timed near Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the year's end, we’ll also discuss the cultural significance of fire, both in ritual and daily life. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of fire’s role in human history and a personal creation to mark your experience. Whether you’re interested in ancient technologies, archaeology, bushcraft, or eager to sharpen your survival skills, this hands-on course will ignite your curiosity. Numbers have been kept low on this event so you have maximum practical support in the fire-making and lamp-making techniques. Your tutor is Tristan Bareham, former CEO of Sussex Archaeological Society, who also headed a local experimental archaeology training project for over 20 years.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my children?

This is part of our adult learning so the day is open to those over 18, or over 16 if accompanied by a paying adult. We offer loads for children and young people including our young people's programmes: NatureLinks and Junior Rangers, so do check those out on our website!

What if it rains?

We will be based in our woodland for the day, and if rain is forecast we will put up suitable shelter. We also have the opportunity of using the education space at the Linklater Pavilion. If dangerous winds or torrential rain is forecast we will look to rescheduling the day.

How do I get there?

The Linklater Pavilion is near train and bus routes. All day car parks are on North / Brook Street, or at the station, and free parking is on town edges 15 minute walk away. If you have mobility issues we may be able to offer one of our very limited spaces, but this must be pre arranged with us.

Organized by

Railway Land Wildlife Trust

At the Railway Land Wildlife Trust, we believe that looking through the lens of nature transforms how we understand, engage with and care for the natural world.

By respecting and working with natural processes, we create spaces where people feel deeply connected to the ecosystems around them. Through mindful exploration, dynamic conservation and community-led projects, we offer enriching ways for people to experience and support the environment in lasting, meaningful ways.

We do this through:

Advocating for nature: We work boldly to promote the voice of wildlife. We celebrate the many ways people experience and understand the natural world. Each connection, no matter how it’s formed, strengthens our collective appreciation for nature and our responsibility to protect it.

Creating pathways: We offer both tangible paths — across green spaces and natural habitats—and intangible ones, guiding personal journeys with nature that adapt to every stage of life.

Collaborating to amplify impact: We believe in partnerships and collective efforts. By working with others — from individuals, and grassroots organisations to statutory bodies — we ensure that our collective impact is greater than the sum of our parts.

Pioneering approaches for broader change: As a test bed for innovative land management and nature-centred thinking, we explore ideas that can inspire and be scaled by others. Our vision is to make the Railway Land a model for how people and nature can thrive together—locally and beyond.

£85

Oct 25 · 10:00 AM GMT+1