Primitive Technology

Primitive Technology is a YouTube channel run by John Plant. Based in Far North Queensland, Australia, the series demonstrates the process of making tools and buildings using only materials found in the wild. Created in May 2015, the channel has gained over 10.9 million subscribers and over 1.17 billion views as of June 2025. Each video provides a closed-caption narrated account of the progress of one or more projects demonstrating the techniques and methods used to create tools or buildings. As John explains on his blog, he builds "completely from scratch using no modern tools or materials", only using what he can source from his natural environment, such as plant materials, clay, soil, and stones; creating a self-contained progression of accessible technique and implements for the projects. Episodes of the series contain no speaking, and only minimal ambient sound, usually focusing on the natural sounds of wildlife, weather, and the creek which runs near the site.