Where it all began

An essentially important element of our evolution as human beings was developing our primary intelligence to a point where we became tool makers.

We can be sure the materials of the environment in which we evolved were thoroughly made use of.

Sustaining not just survival, but the ability to thrive.

The earliest evidence of leather is roughly 9125 years old

This discovery was made at the site of Çatalhöyük

A Neolithic Proto City

Located in the Anatolia region of modern day Turkey.

The oldest depiction of an animal being hunted comes from Indonesian island of Sulawesi, dated to more than 51000 years ago.

Putting this into the context of leatherwork

The currently recognised earliest tool use by humans dates to approximately 3,300,000 years ago.

This evolution is evidenced by the discoveries made at archaeological sites in East Africa, by Mary Leakey

In sites such as Olduvai Gorge of Tanzania and the Gona River site of Ethiopia.

These hisorical faragments are known as Oldowan tools which were used for cutting, pounding, and processing materials.

So potentially the evidence of processing hide and developing leather work as a primary evolutionary craft which ensured our survival as a species is essentially irrefutable.

100 years before the age of steam, each parish would have been self sufficient.

Red, Adam Morrigan, Preparing a hide for an oil taw, using a beam and fleshing knife in the studio gallery and workshop of Rosie and Red art and Leather, Bideford Key, primary, providers
Red, Adam Morrigan, in the heritage studio gallery and workshop preparing classes and courses in arts and crafts heritage leather work, looking upon a red deer raw hide from Hartland to use in leather production and drum making
rosie and red art and heritage art print and leather classes and wokshops in the southwest bideford devon leathr back pack and heritage tools on  Reds studio  work bench

The Heritage of Hand Crafted processes in Leather work involves a vast range of complex skills and abilities.

They all require patience and time to master; there are no short cuts

From the humble thong, to the mighty harness, and beyond each aspect of leather craft has its legend.

(Red) Adam Morrigan Reds Raw Taw Tan