Midwestern Archaeology Podcast · Lee Strange; Science Communicator

Episode 12: Clovis Points, Darwinian Tool Making, and Experimental Archaeology with Dr. Metin Eren Part 1

December 13, 2025·50 min·1 clip

Part 1 of a three-part conversation between host Lee Strange and Dr. Metin Eren, experimental archaeologist and co-director of the Kent State University Experimental Archaeology Laboratory. Dr. Eren traces his path from a 16-year-old crashing a museum field school to a career built on flintknapping, Darwinian cultural evolution theory, and experimental archaeology. Key intellectual contributions covered: the argument that culture evolves via the same three-ingredient Darwinian system as biology; the 'naturalist' hypothesis (hominins used naturally sharp stone flakes before inventing knapping); and convergent evolution in stone tools demonstrated at Goodson Rock Shelter, Oklahoma. Two archaeology 'bummer' stories — a Clovis house that turned out to be a colonial chicken coop (Paleo Crossing) and a Clovis rock shelter that dated to 4,500 BP (Goodson) — are told with self-deprecating humor and scientific honesty. Dr. Eren also discusses blind experimental design, raw material transport efficiency, and the possibility that spear technology may be 6-7 million years old.

As heard by us

Experimental archaeology, explained with patience, detail, and real curiosity.

A patient field conversation about how ancient stone tools may have emerged, and how experimental archaeology can change the way prehistory is understood. Dr.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want stone tools, deep time, and a smart field conversation.

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