Dr Theresa Emmerich Kamper
National Geographic Traveller (UK)|September 2023
THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGIST PADDLED THE THAMES IN A COWSKIN CANOE TO GAIN INSIGHT INTO STONE AGE-STYLE LIVING
KERIDWEN CORNELIUS
Dr Theresa Emmerich Kamper

You teach ancestral skills, from basketry to stone tool construction and more. What sparked your interest?

It evolved from being outdoors a lot as a child. My dad was a scout leader, and he mentioned that cattails were edible. I went to a cow pond, dug up cattail roots and came back chewing one. He told me I was going to get salmonella, then boiled them up for me. As long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by finding ways to use the resources around me.

You make leather clothing and gear for your adventures. How did that passion begin?

When I was 11, I wanted a pretty leather dress. Leather was expensive, but I realised people used to tan skins to make it. And bless my parents, they’re very tolerant. I rotted a lot of deer skins before I was successful, but I fell in love with it. The problem-solving aspect of it really appealed to me.

That led to a PhD in ancient hide-tanning techniques.

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