Experimental Workshops
Not only has the threatened building been moved, we have built a second structure for conducting experiments in. This has been built to the same dimensions as the original building, but uses new stone. We have so far built the hearth cell, the passageway, the tank and one of the side cells. In the future, dry-stone walling classes will be held and more cells will be added.
The experimental building
Experimental workshops will be held which will replicate a number of Bronze-Age style technologies. We will also try to learn what burnt mounds were originally used for. Of course, there may have been a range of uses, and suggestions range from cooking, bathing, industrial processes and even making beer! Not only will we try different processes, we will measure the temperatures reached in the hearth cell and tank; will record how long it takes to bring the water to boil; and see how many times we can use the same stones before they shatter.
So far, we have heated stones in the hearth and put them in water...CLICK HERE
...cleaned wool to make it ready for spinning...CLICK HERE
...and made pots on the site. CLICK HERE
More detailed experiments will be held next year - check back to this site to get more details.