Civilization manualBook 1: From Bare Hands to Steam and Electricity765 entries · 23 phases · 100 years
The Island

The sketches

60 drawn of 141 listed. Each belongs to a procedure; click a drawing for the full size.

Bird's-eye plan of the chosen site: stream, flood line, shore and hill, with the fire, sleeping places, water point and latrine marked.
Fig. 01.01-aBird's-eye plan of the chosen site: stream, flood line, shore and hill, with the fire, sleeping places, water point and latrine marked.diagram · 01.01 Base camp site
Adam, Omar and Tane on a rise at dusk, pointing out the site to the others below.
Fig. 01.01-bAdam, Omar and Tane on a rise at dusk, pointing out the site to the others below.making · 01.01 Base camp site
Three hammerstones in a row, heavy, medium and small, with a hand for scale and the striking end marked.
Fig. 01.02-aThree hammerstones in a row, heavy, medium and small, with a hand for scale and the striking end marked.thing · 01.02 Hammerstone
Hiro crouched in the stream bed, knocking a cobble against a boulder and listening to it.
Fig. 01.02-bHiro crouched in the stream bed, knocking a cobble against a boulder and listening to it.making · 01.02 Hammerstone
Side view of the stone, the platform corner and the path of the blow, with the flake shown coming off the underside.
Fig. 01.03-aSide view of the stone, the platform corner and the path of the blow, with the flake shown coming off the underside.diagram · 01.03 Sharp stone flake
Hiro seated with a flint core on his padded thigh, hammerstone raised, Kofi watching from an arm's length away.
Fig. 01.03-bHiro seated with a flint core on his padded thigh, hammerstone raised, Kofi watching from an arm's length away.making · 01.03 Sharp stone flake
A knife flake, a scraper and a borer side by side, with the blunted back of the knife marked.
Fig. 01.03-cA knife flake, a scraper and a borer side by side, with the blunted back of the knife marked.thing · 01.03 Sharp stone flake
The digging stick full length, with the wedge end and the round point shown enlarged.
Fig. 01.04-aThe digging stick full length, with the wedge end and the round point shown enlarged.thing · 01.04 Digging stick
Omar driving the wedge into the ground with both hands while Ulani lifts out loose soil with a shell.
Fig. 01.04-bOmar driving the wedge into the ground with both hands while Ulani lifts out loose soil with a shell.making · 01.04 Digging stick
Close view of two hands making cord: the twist away, the wrap toward, and a new bundle being joined in.
Fig. 01.05-aClose view of two hands making cord: the twist away, the wrap toward, and a new bundle being joined in.diagram · 01.05 Twisted plant-fibre cord
Imani in the middle of a circle of people at dusk, all twisting cord, coils of finished cord at her feet.
Fig. 01.05-bImani in the middle of a circle of people at dusk, all twisting cord, coils of finished cord at her feet.making · 01.05 Twisted plant-fibre cord
Three finished cords of different thickness, from fishing line to tying cord.
Fig. 01.05-cThree finished cords of different thickness, from fishing line to tying cord.thing · 01.05 Twisted plant-fibre cord
The store under a rock overhang: tinder nests at the back, three graded heaps of kindling, split fuel in front.
Fig. 01.06-aThe store under a rock overhang: tinder nests at the back, three graded heaps of kindling, split fuel in front.thing · 01.06 Tinder and kindling store
Preet kneeling, rubbing bark fibre between her palms into a nest, with Sofia snapping dead twigs from a low branch behind her.
Fig. 01.06-bPreet kneeling, rubbing bark fibre between her palms into a nest, with Sofia snapping dead twigs from a low branch behind her.making · 01.06 Tinder and kindling store
The four parts of the set, labelled: bow with cord, drill, hearth board with the black hole and pie-slice notch, and socket.
Fig. 01.07-aThe four parts of the set, labelled: bow with cord, drill, hearth board with the black hole and pie-slice notch, and socket.diagram · 01.07 Bow-drill fire set
Adam kneeling with his foot on the board and his wrist locked to his shin, holding the socket, while Kofi works the bow; smoke rising.
Fig. 01.07-bAdam kneeling with his foot on the board and his wrist locked to his shin, holding the socket, while Kofi works the bow; smoke rising.making · 01.07 Bow-drill fire set
Close view of the glowing dust heap being tipped from the leaf into the tinder nest.
Fig. 01.07-cClose view of the glowing dust heap being tipped from the leaf into the tinder nest.use · 01.07 Bow-drill fire set
Cut-away of the hearth: stone ring, stick floor, the cone of kindling with its opening, and logs laid like spokes.
Fig. 01.08-aCut-away of the hearth: stone ring, stick floor, the cone of kindling with its opening, and logs laid like spokes.diagram · 01.08 First fire and stone hearth
Adam on his knees lowering the flaming nest into the cone, faces lit all round him in the dusk.
Fig. 01.08-bAdam on his knees lowering the flaming nest into the cone, faces lit all round him in the dusk.making · 01.08 First fire and stone hearth
The camp at night seen from outside the circle: the fire, two watchers, the lean-tos behind.
Fig. 01.08-cThe camp at night seen from outside the circle: the fire, two watchers, the lean-tos behind.use · 01.08 First fire and stone hearth
The two carriers side by side: a glowing bracket fungus in an open pair of clam shells, and a bark roll tied every hand-width with one end glowing.
Fig. 01.09-aThe two carriers side by side: a glowing bracket fungus in an open pair of clam shells, and a bark roll tied every hand-width with one end glowing.thing · 01.09 Ember carrier
Kofi holding a coal to a bracket fungus with a split stick, Sofia tying a bark roll beside the fire.
Fig. 01.09-bKofi holding a coal to a bracket fungus with a split stick, Sofia tying a bark roll beside the fire.making · 01.09 Ember carrier
Tane walking the shore in the rain with the carrier held under a bark hood.
Fig. 01.09-cTane walking the shore in the rain with the carrier held under a bark hood.use · 01.09 Ember carrier
Side view of a lean-to showing the ridge pole, rafters, cross-pieces, layered covering and the ditch behind, with the fire three paces in front.
Fig. 01.10-aSide view of a lean-to showing the ridge pole, rafters, cross-pieces, layered covering and the ditch behind, with the fire three paces in front.diagram · 01.10 Lean-to shelters
A team of four building: two lashing the ridge pole to a tree, two carrying an armful of leafy boughs.
Fig. 01.10-bA team of four building: two lashing the ridge pole to a tree, two carrying an armful of leafy boughs.making · 01.10 Lean-to shelters
The row of six finished lean-tos in a shallow arc, open sides toward the place where the fire will be.
Fig. 01.10-cThe row of six finished lean-tos in a shallow arc, open sides toward the place where the fire will be.thing · 01.10 Lean-to shelters
A platform from the side and from above: two logs, stakes, lashed cross-poles and the layers of bedding.
Fig. 01.11-aA platform from the side and from above: two logs, stakes, lashed cross-poles and the layers of bedding.diagram · 01.11 Raised sleeping platforms
Bjorn lashing cross-poles while Imani carries in a bundle of bracken taller than she is.
Fig. 01.11-bBjorn lashing cross-poles while Imani carries in a bundle of bracken taller than she is.making · 01.11 Raised sleeping platforms
A bamboo stem cut open lengthways to show the solid joint walls, with the cut lines for a cup, a bottle and a channel marked.
Fig. 01.12-aA bamboo stem cut open lengthways to show the solid joint walls, with the cut lines for a cup, a bottle and a channel marked.diagram · 01.12 Bamboo cups and water tubes
A cup, a plugged bottle, a two-section bucket and a cooking tube leaning at the fire.
Fig. 01.12-bA cup, a plugged bottle, a two-section bucket and a cooking tube leaning at the fire.thing · 01.12 Bamboo cups and water tubes
Ulani sawing a groove round a stem with a flake while Hiro smooths a rim on a rock.
Fig. 01.12-cUlani sawing a groove round a stem with a flake while Hiro smooths a rim on a rock.making · 01.12 Bamboo cups and water tubes
The tongs with the binding, the spring twig and the grooved jaw tips labelled.
Fig. 01.13-aThe tongs with the binding, the spring twig and the grooved jaw tips labelled.diagram · 01.13 Split-stick tongs
Sofia lifting a glowing stone from the coals with the tongs, steam rising from the pit beside her.
Fig. 01.13-bSofia lifting a glowing stone from the coals with the tongs, steam rising from the pit beside her.use · 01.13 Split-stick tongs
Cut-away of the clay-lined pit with stones in the water, the fire beside it, and the tongs lowering a stone.
Fig. 01.14-aCut-away of the clay-lined pit with stones in the water, the fire beside it, and the tongs lowering a stone.diagram · 01.14 Hot-stone boiling pit
Grace smoothing the clay lining with a wet hand while Omar feeds the fire over the heating stones.
Fig. 01.14-bGrace smoothing the clay lining with a wet hand while Omar feeds the fire over the heating stones.making · 01.14 Hot-stone boiling pit
Sofia pouring boiled water from a bamboo dipper into a row of marked bottles.
Fig. 01.14-cSofia pouring boiled water from a bamboo dipper into a row of marked bottles.use · 01.14 Hot-stone boiling pit
Kofi turning the spear point above a bed of coals, squinting along the shaft.
Fig. 01.15-bKofi turning the spear point above a bed of coals, squinting along the shaft.making · 01.15 Fire-hardened spear
Wren, spear in both hands, standing knee-deep in a tidal pool.
Fig. 01.15-cWren, spear in both hands, standing knee-deep in a tidal pool.use · 01.15 Fire-hardened spear
A throwing stick seen from above and from the edge to show its flattened section, beside a root-ball club with a grooved grip.
Fig. 01.16-aA throwing stick seen from above and from the edge to show its flattened section, beside a root-ball club with a grooved grip.thing · 01.16 Throwing stick and club
Kofi in mid-throw, side-arm and low, the stick spinning flat toward a rabbit at the edge of long grass.
Fig. 01.16-bKofi in mid-throw, side-arm and low, the stick spinning flat toward a rabbit at the edge of long grass.use · 01.16 Throwing stick and club
The trap from above and in section: the curved wall, the staked gap, the high-water and low-water lines, with the sea covering the wall at high tide and the pool left at low tide.
Fig. 01.17-aThe trap from above and in section: the curved wall, the staked gap, the high-water and low-water lines, with the sea covering the wall at high tide and the pool left at low tide.diagram · 01.17 Tidal stone fish trap
A line of people passing stones hand to hand along the shore at low tide, Luca setting them, Tane pointing out the curve.
Fig. 01.17-bA line of people passing stones hand to hand along the shore at low tide, Luca setting them, Tane pointing out the curve.making · 01.17 Tidal stone fish trap
Tane and Yara at dawn, low tide, lifting fish from the shallow pool behind the wall.
Fig. 01.17-cTane and Yara at dawn, low tide, lifting fish from the shallow pool behind the wall.use · 01.17 Tidal stone fish trap
The spear head enlarged: the binding, the two crossed spreader twigs, four prongs and the barb notches.
Fig. 01.18-aThe spear head enlarged: the binding, the two crossed spreader twigs, four prongs and the barb notches.diagram · 01.18 Pronged fish spear
Tane motionless in knee-deep water, spear tips just under the surface, a fish below them, with dotted lines showing where the fish seems to be and where it is.
Fig. 01.18-bTane motionless in knee-deep water, spear tips just under the surface, a fish below them, with dotted lines showing where the fish seems to be and where it is.use · 01.18 Pronged fish spear
Cut-away of the oven in layers from the bottom: hot stones, wet leaves, food parcels, wet leaves, bark, earth, with steam held inside.
Fig. 01.19-aCut-away of the oven in layers from the bottom: hot stones, wet leaves, food parcels, wet leaves, bark, earth, with steam held inside.diagram · 01.19 Earth oven
Sofia and Ulani laying leaf-wrapped parcels on steaming leaves while Tane stands ready with the earth.
Fig. 01.19-bSofia and Ulani laying leaf-wrapped parcels on steaming leaves while Tane stands ready with the earth.making · 01.19 Earth oven
The oven being opened at dusk, steam rising, the whole camp gathered round.
Fig. 01.19-cThe oven being opened at dusk, steam rising, the whole camp gathered round.use · 01.19 Earth oven
The torch head enlarged: the four-way split, the pebble holding it open, the resin and bark filling and the green bark tie.
Fig. 01.20-aThe torch head enlarged: the four-way split, the pebble holding it open, the resin and bark filling and the green bark tie.diagram · 01.20 Resin torch
Ulani prising a lump of resin from a scarred pine trunk with a flake.
Fig. 01.20-bUlani prising a lump of resin from a scarred pine trunk with a flake.making · 01.20 Resin torch
Kofi wading at the fish trap at night, torch held high and forward, fish visible in the lit water.
Fig. 01.20-cKofi wading at the fish trap at night, torch held high and forward, fish visible in the lit water.use · 01.20 Resin torch
Plan of the camp showing the stream and its direction of flow, the water point upstream, the camp, and the latrine sixty paces downhill and downwind, with the trench in section.
Fig. 01.21-aPlan of the camp showing the stream and its direction of flow, the water point upstream, the camp, and the latrine sixty paces downhill and downwind, with the trench in section.diagram · 01.21 Latrine trench and camp hygiene rule
Omar and Adam digging the trench, Grace building the brushwood screen.
Fig. 01.21-bOmar and Adam digging the trench, Grace building the brushwood screen.making · 01.21 Latrine trench and camp hygiene rule
The washing place: a hanging bamboo tube of water, a heap of ash, and a row of pale stones marking the path.
Fig. 01.21-cThe washing place: a hanging bamboo tube of water, a heap of ash, and a row of pale stones marking the path.thing · 01.21 Latrine trench and camp hygiene rule
The two poles side by side: the food pole hung with samples, and the warning pole ringed with charcoal bands.
Fig. 01.22-aThe two poles side by side: the food pole hung with samples, and the warning pole ringed with charcoal bands.thing · 01.22 Safe-food list
Ulani holding up two similar-looking plants, one in each hand, to a half-circle of listeners, with Grace watching her closely.
Fig. 01.22-bUlani holding up two similar-looking plants, one in each hand, to a half-circle of listeners, with Grace watching her closely.making · 01.22 Safe-food list
Six look-alike pairs drawn side by side, safe on the left and deadly on the right, with the telling difference marked on each.
Fig. 01.22-cSix look-alike pairs drawn side by side, safe on the left and deadly on the right, with the telling difference marked on each.diagram · 01.22 Safe-food list
The post close up: a column of notches with every seventh longer, a moon ring, and the flame and wave signs.
Fig. 01.23-aThe post close up: a column of notches with every seventh longer, a moon ring, and the flame and wave signs.thing · 01.23 Tally-post calendar
Preet cutting the seventh notch at sunrise with a flint blade, the camp gathered behind her.
Fig. 01.23-bPreet cutting the seventh notch at sunrise with a flint blade, the camp gathered behind her.making · 01.23 Tally-post calendar
The noon stick and its line of shadow pebbles, with the turning points at midsummer and midwinter marked.
Fig. 01.23-cThe noon stick and its line of shadow pebbles, with the turning points at midsummer and midwinter marked.diagram · 01.23 Tally-post calendar

Listed but not drawn yet

01.15-a The spear full length, with the point enlarged to show the long taper and the golden-brown hardened zone.
01.24-a The kit laid out on its open bark box: rolled cloth strips, the bamboo of boiled water, cord and six splint sticks.
01.24-b Three panels: pressing on a wound with the limb raised; flushing a wound from a bamboo tube; a forearm splinted on both sides and held in a sling.
01.24-c Grace watching closely as Imani splints Adam's arm, the others gathered in a half-circle.
02.01-a The kit unrolled on its hide: three hammerstones, the antler hammer, the pusher in its handle, the sandstone rubber and two pads.
02.01-b Two close views: the sweeping blow of the antler hammer clipping an edge, and the pusher pressing a small flake off an edge held in a padded palm.
02.01-c Hiro grinding the end of an antler on sandstone, Kofi crouched beside him holding the second antler.
02.02-a A hand axe seen from the face and from the edge, showing the pear shape, the thick butt and the sharp edge all round the point.
02.02-b The order of blows: one flake off one face, turn, the next flake off the other face, working round the stone.
02.02-c Bjorn kneeling at a sapling, chopping with the side edge of the hand axe held in his palm.
02.03-a The set in a row: knife with blunted back, end scraper, side scraper, engraving point, borer, notched flake and saw, each named.
02.03-b A blade core from the side with the ridge marked, and a blade coming off along it.
02.03-c Hiro pressing the working edge of a scraper with the antler pusher while Yara holds a hide ready beside him.
02.04-a The coarse and fine slabs side by side, with the grooved stone for round work, a shell of sand and a bamboo cup of water.
02.04-b Luca kneeling at the tilted slab, pushing a piece away from him in a long stroke, grey mud running off the end.
02.05-a A glue stick with its egg-sized lump of black pitch, beside a shell of crushed charcoal and a handful of resin lumps.
02.05-b Kofi stirring melted resin on a flat stone at the edge of the fire with a stick, Wren crushing charcoal between two stones.
02.06-a Where the tendons lie in a deer: the two long back tendons beside the spine and the leg tendons, with a dried tendon and the fibres pounded from it.
02.06-b Yara cutting a wet skin into one long spiral strip with a flint knife on a flat stone.
02.06-c A coil of rawhide strip and a bundle of sinew threads, beside a lashing drying on an axe handle.
02.07-a The head from the face, the side and end-on, showing the curved edge, the pointed-arch section and the rough butt.
02.07-b Luca pecking a cobble with a pointed hammerstone, grey dust on his knees.
02.07-c Two people at the grinding slab by firelight, one pushing the axe head, one pouring water.
02.08-a The axe in section: the tapered hole through the club, the head jammed in from the front, and the two rawhide bands.
02.08-b Bjorn blowing through a reed on a coal in the half-burned hole, Hiro waiting with a borer.
02.08-c Bjorn cutting a wide notch round a standing ash tree, chips on the ground, the camp watching from well back.
02.09-a The adze from the side: elbow handle, flat seat, blade bedded flat-face down, rawhide binding, with the cutting edge shown lying across the handle.
02.09-b Bjorn standing astride a log with feet wide apart, adzing the top flat, long shavings curling away.
02.10-a A set of wedges in graded sizes beside the knotty maul, with one wedge enlarged to show the long taper and the bevelled head.
02.10-b A log seen from above and from the end: wedges walked along the opening crack, and the end marked into pie slices.
02.10-c Adam bringing the maul down on a wedge while Bjorn, to the side, sets the next one further along the crack.
02.11-a The rope walk from above: post, three cords, three twisters with sticks, and the forked stick walking toward them with finished rope behind it.
02.11-b Three people leaning back twisting the cords while Tane walks the fork down between them and Imani calls the time.
02.11-c A coiled rope with bound ends, one end enlarged to show three strands laid together.
02.12-a Three small drawings: a lever with its block close to the load; a load on rollers running on pole rails; a sledge with upturned runners and a hauling rope.
02.12-b The cedar trunk on rollers, a line of people on the rope in front, two with levers behind, Adam to one side with his hand raised.
02.13-a Four stages: a leg bone with two grooves cut along it; the splinter prised out; the eye drilled from both sides in the flattened head; the finished needle.
02.13-b An awl with its knuckle handle and three needles of different sizes, pushed into a roll of hide.
02.13-c Yara twisting a tiny flint borer into the head of a needle, the tip of her tongue between her teeth.
02.14-a The two hooks enlarged: the straight double-pointed hook with bait threaded along it, and the stages of the curved hook from a holed blank to the finished shape.
02.14-b A set line laid out: the long cord, six short cords with hooks, two anchor stones, a sinker and a bark float.
02.14-c Tane on a rock at dawn, hand-lining, a fish coming up through clear water.
02.15-a The stages in a row: fleshing over the beam; scraping off hair and top layer; wringing on a branch with a stick; stretching over a stake; the hide laced into a bag over a smoking pit.
02.15-b Kofi and Wren pulling a damp hide back and forth over the top of a stake, Yara feeling its edge between finger and thumb.
02.15-c A finished hide the colour of honey, folded, with one corner tied in a loose knot.
02.16-a The shoe pattern: a foot outline on the hide with the wider cutting line, then folded and sewn at heel and toe with a drawstring.
02.16-b A tunic, leggings, a pair of shoes, a shoulder bag and a filled water skin with its wooden plug.
02.16-c Yara kneeling to mark round Wren's bare foot with charcoal on a hide, Imani sewing a seam beside them.
02.17-a Five stages: the cross of six rods; the base woven round like a wheel; side rods pushed in and bent up; sides woven; the rim turned down.
02.17-b Three baskets: a round carrying basket with a handle, a deep back basket with straps, and a coiled grass bowl.
02.17-c Imani weaving the side of a basket held between her knees, soaked rods in a pool beside her.
02.18-a A hurdle half woven on its mould log, with the twist of the rod round the end stake enlarged.
02.18-b Finished hurdles in use: two as a fence tied to a post, one flat on logs as a drying rack.
02.18-c Imani weaving a rod between the stakes while Bjorn beats the rows down with a stick.
02.19-a The joint enlarged in three steps: the slot cut and tapered; the point bedded in pitch; the sinew binding wrapped through the notches and sealed.
02.19-b A finished spear full length, with two spare points beside it.
02.19-c Kofi sighting along a shaft while holding a point in warm pitch, Hiro pressing a notch into the next point.
02.20-a The thrower and a dart side by side with parts named: grip, hook, cup, feathers, point; and three small figures showing the throw from start to release.
02.20-b Wren in mid-throw, arm coming over, the thrower swinging forward and the dart just leaving the hook.
02.21-a The bow from the side and in section, naming back, belly, handle, limbs and string grooves; and an arrow with notch, feathers, shaft and point.
02.21-b Wren with the bow hooked on a notched tillering stick, studying the curve of the limbs, scraper in hand.
02.21-c Wren at full draw, Kofi a step behind her, six arrows clustered in a hide target twenty paces away.
02.22-a The pump drill with parts named: rod, cross-bar, cord through the top notch, flywheel, bit; with arrows showing the bar going down and the rod spinning.
02.22-b Yara drilling a shell held on a block with her left hand, pumping the bar with her right.
02.23-a The quern from the side: sloping bed stone, hand stone, the mat catching meal at the far end, with the saddle shape of the bed shown in section.
02.23-b Sofia kneeling at the quern, pushing the hand stone away with both hands, a basket of grain beside her.
02.24-a A half log in section at three stages: clay ridge and coals; char chopped out with the adze; the finished hollow with even walls.
02.24-b Bjorn blowing through a reed onto coals in the half-hollowed log, Tane crouched opposite, watching closely.
02.24-c A finished trough full of water beside two carved bowls.
02.25-a The three tools side by side: antler pick, shoulder-blade shovel on its straight handle, stone hoe on its elbow handle.
02.25-b The shovel joint enlarged: the neck of the shoulder blade in the split handle with its rawhide binding; and the hoe blade lashed to the foot of its handle.
02.25-c Omar swinging the hoe in a new plot while Diego prises a lump of clay from the stream bank with the antler pick.
02.26-a The canoe from above, from the side and in section: hull, the two cross ridges, the float on its two poles, with wall and bottom thicknesses marked.
02.26-b The log propped on the beach, coals glowing along its top between ridges of wet clay, two people chopping out char with adzes.
02.26-c The finished canoe with its float, three paddlers, crossing clear water with the shore behind.
02.27-a Cakes of tar on a leaf, a basket with its black lining, and a lump of raw tar as collected.
02.27-b Diego at the edge of the seep, testing the ground with a long pole, Tane behind him holding a leaf-lined basket; animal bones in the black pool.
02.27-c A hand spreading warm tar inside a basket with a smooth stone.
02.28-a The hide map with the coast near the camp drawn in charcoal, finds marked in red signs, and most of the hide still empty; the key of signs beside it.
02.28-b Diego on his knees painting a red sign onto the hide, a survey party scratching their route in the sand in front of him.
02.28-c The council gathered round the map held up by two people, Adam pointing to a place on it.