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

FAQ'S

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

Anchor 1

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

OCT  2 -4 · LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA

Join my next course:
ANCESTRAL HIDE TANNING

A bearded man in glasses holds a metal skewer over glowing coals, smoke-curing a strip of hide by an open fire.

Over three hands-on days, you'll work a raw coyote hide from start to finish — fleshing, fat-tanning, and smoking it into finished leather, echoing a time when every part of an animal was value.

3 SPOTS LEFT!

A stapled hide hangs from a string, smoke curling past it during the curing process.

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

"A week I'll never forget and skills I'll be attempting to put into practice in the future, learnt from a brilliant and seriously energetic teacher who shows true passion for her craft. I've never laughed so much whilst learning. Hopefully, one day I'll be lucky enough to join you on another course."

Kieran Worland - 2025

Courses by Country

Partnerships

Consultations

UPCOMING COURSES

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.