Makes three figurine ornaments, each measuring about 4”-5”. The kit comes in a bag containing: paper fiber splint for 3 figurine ornaments, paper clip, hemp twine for hanging loops and color instructions. Ages 8+ younger ages with adult supervision. Made in USA PREHISTORIC SPLIT TWIG FIGURINES Split twig figurines have been found in caves within Grand Canyon, primarily in the Redwall Limestone geologic rock strata, and in southeastern Utah. These figurines are estimated to have been made 1500-9000 years ago. Cave explorers hunting for Indian objects found the first figurines in 1933. Several are preserved in the Grand Canyon National Park Museum collection. About 500 figurines have since been found in various remote caves within the canyon. The caves where these figurines were found were barely accessible, as the rock faces are very steep. Within the caves, explorers found the figurines hidden under piles of rocks. The Utah figurines, found in prehistoric trash dumps, are distinctively different in that most have additional wrapping around the body of the figurine. Split twig figurines were made from willow, cottonwood, skunkbush or squawbush. These figurines range in size from 1” to 11”. Each was made from a single twig split down its length with a blade, leaving the last few inches of the wide end unsplit. The unsplit end of the branch forms the rear leg, and the two halves of the split branch are used to wrap the body and form the head and neck. Some figurines actually have tiny wood twigs thrust through their bodies as if to depict a kill with spears or lances. Though we cannot know for sure what these figurines were intended for, a good guess is that they were used in rituals prior to a hunt, or to ensure that deer or bighorn sheep would be plentiful. This kit uses a paper fiber splint to make three split twig style ornaments. Perfect for educational projects and home decorations. Makes nice tree ornaments at holiday times as well.