The Poulton Research Project

The Poulton Project has been donated a full-size replica of a roundhouse typical of the late Iron Age / Roman period, courtesy of the Museum of Liverpool Life. The diameter of the roundhouse is approximately 6 metres.

This roundhouse is now being reconstructed on site at Poulton, located midway between the reconstructed Bronze Age timber circle and the medieval chapel. The photographic diary below is regularly updated as construction progresses.

^ November 2006: Dismantling of the roundhouse commences at the Museum of Liverpool Life. The steeply-pitched thatched roof also keeps the walls dry, which is important since they are largely constructed of mud ! Top of page

^ The roof structure can be clearly seen.... Top of page

^ ...as well as the wattle and daub construction of the walls. The wattle is woven in and out of the 16 vertical posts, and coated in daub which is a mixture of earth with (usually) straw and dung. Top of page

^ February 2007: On site at Poulton, a suitable area for re-erecting the roundhouse has been identified, which avoids disturbing any archaeology. The locations of the postholes are set out by a couple of old geezers. Top of page

^ March 2007: The postholes are dug... Top of page

^ June 2007: The vertical posts and lintels are temporarily erected to check that everything fits together. Top of page

^ Phew, they do fit ! Top of page

^ July 2007: The timbers are now removed, and the postholes are ritually cleansed by fire. The reconstructed timber circle can be seen in the background. Top of page

^ Each posthole is filled with wood which is then burnt. Top of page

^ September 2007: The framework has been erected and branches of hazel are being used to weave the wattle walls. Top of page

^ October 2007: The roof timbers are assembled and it really begins to look like a house! Top of page

^ November 2007 Top of page