Paint, weave and make pots How did our ancestors paint? How did they make pots, fabrics and other everyday objects?

The ‘Paolo Graziosi’ Florentine Museum of Prehistory (Museo fiorentino di preistoria) in Via S. Egidio 21, Florence, offers children aged 3 and over a chance to travel back in time and try out the techniques used by cave-dwellers.

The workshops organized by the museum run throughout the summer on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. They are free of charge but must be booked in advance (tel. 055 295159, info@museofiorentinopreistoria.it). Forthcoming workshops: 

The paintings of the Altamira Caves (Spain). The children learn about the paintings in the Altamira Caves and hear the story of how they were discovered, then reproduce them with natural colours. 

The very first bread. The participants learn to recognize seeds and grains and mill them on stone millstones to obtain flour.

Ceramics. The children mould clay to learn techniques used in prehistoric times, making pots and small clay items which they then decorate with shells, plant twine and bone tools.

String-making and weaving. Participants make rope with wool and plant fibres and weave fabrics on wooden looms. 

Painting. The children imitate charcoal and ochre paintings, using various subjects in prehistoric art. 

Stele statues. After looking at the images and markings on stele monuments, the workshop participants then reproduce them using tools like the ones available to prehistoric man.

Decorative objects and accessories. On the basis of archaeological documentation, the children make decorative items from shells, bone, stones and other natural elements.