Learning traditional skills in person offers something our modern world can’t replace — hands‑on practice, natural materials, and techniques passed directly from teacher to student. It’s a chance to slow down, work with your hands, and build practical knowledge that still matters today.

Three stylized animal paw prints for Theresa Emmerich Kamper.

Theresa Emmerich Kamper's hide-covered coracle on water.

Theresa Emmerich Kamper working with animal hides outdoors.

Consultations

"Hide tanning is one of the essential and ubiquitous skills that connect us all from pre-history to present".

- Dr. Theresa Emmerich Kamper

HANDS-ON COURSES TAUGHT BY A PHD ARCHAEOLOGIST WITH 30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Bushcraft, Hide Tanning & Ancestral Skills Courses, Taught Worldwide

Learn crafts our ancestors relied on — animal processing, hide, fish skin, and fur tanning, and leather sewing — taught in small groups with real one-on-one time.

COURSES BY COUNTRY

STUDENT REVIEWS

LEARN TRADITIONAL SKILLS

Bringing ancestral skills and traditional crafts to life

I'm an experimental archaeologist and traditional skills instructor with 30+ years of experience in hide tanning, prehistoric crafts, and primitive skills. Through hands-on courses, I share practical, research-based knowledge that blends experimental archaeology with ancestral crafts to make traditional skills accessible today.

Find out more

Theresa Emmerich Kamper scraping an animal hide outdoors

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Completed PhD

University of Exeter, prehistoric tanning technologies

Published Researcher

Peer-reviewed book, Sidestone Press

National TV Credits

Alone Season 8, Surviving the Stone Age

30+ Years Practicing

Hands-on practitioner since childhood in Wyoming

JAN  28 -31 · SOUTH LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

Join my next course:
LEATHER PATTERNING & SEWING

Person wearing a hand-sewn chamois leather garment from Theresa Emmerich Kamper's leather patterning and sewing course.

Over four hands‑on days, you’ll turn soft oil‑tanned chamois into a finished garment — drafting patterns, cutting precise lines, and hand‑sewing each detail to build a piece that fits your body.

10 SPOTS LEFT!

Hand-tanned leather items by Theresa Emmerich Kamper.

reviews

REVIEWS

What students say about my courses

Nothing means more to me than hearing what someone actually took away from a course — here are a few of those stories, in their own words.

USING THE WHOLE ANIMAL COURSE

"Theresa's course was a three day adventure. How brilliantly fascinating to see the whole process and what you can do with literally all of the animal. Nothing goes to waste. I've come away with some new life skills. Theresa's knowledge is endless, and no question was too much trouble or left unanswered. The group was fantastic, Theresa is so friendly, and she made us all feel so welcome. I highly recommend booking this course if you want to learn from somebody with so much experience and expertise. She REALLY knows her stuff!
Thanks, Theresa."

Jay - 2026

COYOTE FUR TANNING COURSE

"Theresa’s course is not only a hands on step by step “how to” she brings her vast knowledge of the subject and explains not only scientifically as to why steps are done at certain times, but breaks it down so that even the novice can grasp the concepts. It is always a great learning experience taking her courses, plus it brings together varied individuals who share common interests."

Oxyatl - 2025

DEER SKIN TANNING COURSE

"Theresa is such an engaging and knowledgeable teacher. I learnt so much on the August deer tanning course - which was well structured and paced. By the end of day 3, I felt exhausted but grateful and accomplished – and I now have a super soft fat-tanned deer hide! Thank you, Theresa and Sam, for your guidance and encouragement."

Helen Hampton - 2026

Hide tanning, fur, fish skin, leatherwork, and whole-animal use — find your course

Discover the practical and theoretical knowledge behind prehistoric technologies. Through hands-on courses and personal guidance, I teach the skills our ancestors used to build, craft, and thrive. Questions? Contact me or check out the FAQ.