Durrington (Stonehenge) roundhouse reconstructions

[katie bridgewater]

Those who are interested in the archaeological work surrounding Stonehenge might like to follow the reconstruction of the Durrington Roundhouses. The prototypes are underway, and will be built near Old Sarum (Salisbury). Later this year work proper begins at the new Stonehenge Visitor Centre. The centre will be incorporating reconstructions of 3 roundhouses, made and used by the builders of Stonehenge.

I am lucky enough to be working 2/3 days per week for the Ancient Technology Centre (ATC) at their Dorset education site, where we bring the past to life through recreation, learning. experimentation and tea-drinking. The ATC are responsible for the Durrington roundhouse build, so I will share any milestones here for those who would like to follow their progress. Much of the work is being undertaken by volunteers.

The project journal can be found here:

http://www.ancienttechnologycentre.co.uk/neolithic_house_journal.html

NB: the project, in pursuit of authenticity, necessitates the mass harvesting of many hazel trees. Please note that all the hazel trees used will regenerate, and in fact their lives will be significantly lengthened by this process. They don't die from coppicing.

If you'd like to get involved in a practical way, English Heritage (who have commissioned the project and who manage the Stonehenge World Heritage Site) are taking applications from prospective volunteers. Details here:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/cari ... 8164923212

[Art]

It looks like cold work but loads of fun! Please keep us in the loop as this progresses!

[katie bridgewater]

Thanks Art, I will. It's really interesting that some of the work will be done with historical tools, too. Last week, as part of a different Bronze Age roundhouse build at a school, I was working with children to fell trees from around around bronze age barrow. Clearing the barrow will help preserve the archaology beneath it and the trees we cut will be used to build the roundhouse. We used bronze axes for the job and it was a wonderful and engaging way to help them imagine the life of their ancestors.
I hope more people from the Druid community will decide to get involved at Durrington, as it's a one-off opportunity to get a deep insight into the Neolithic and early Bronze age culture of Britain, and up close and personal with the history of the Stonehenge area.

[envisager]

This is a great project. Good luck with it Katie.