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Moderated by : Andy B , TimPrevett , Klingon , sem , MickM , TheCaptain , bat400 , coldrum , davidmorgan , Runemage , SolarMegalith
The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map : Index >>
General Forum >> Roundhouse
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Roundhouse |
Rev
Joined:
13-05-2004
Messages: 19
from Manchester
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|  Posted 19-06-2006 at 14:53
“It would be nice if there was a thread about reconstructional archaeology about building roundhouses for instance”
Wrote ‘mishkin’ on another thread, and I agree with this and duly oblige!
Roundhouses appear to be a regional phenomenon, mainly associated (but not exclusive) with the British Isles. Our continental “Celtic” cousins went in for the rectangular version, it would appear.
Most material I have read seems to indicate a cultural preference for this, but is there another reason behind this difference? Has anybody ever reconstructed a roundhouse and a rectangular house and did they produce comparative findings?
For instance, if we used the same amount of materials in both, (same amount of wood, mud etc), which would produce the bigger, or more efficient, structure?
Are Roundhouses quicker to erect? Is it just an aesthetic difference? Is a roundhouse easier to heat and ventilate?
Rev
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coldrum
Joined:
17-09-2002
Messages: 780
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| Posted 21-06-2006 at 19:54
Not an expert roundhouse builder,but have a few friends who did one as they were part of an Iron Age living history group.
Unfortunatly there little settlement was burnt down by accident,it was situated in a country park in Medway,Kent.
They were going to rebuild it but the local council wouldnt let them unless they used cranes and mechanical lifting equipment which defeated the object of experimental archaeology.
As far as I know the group in nomore.They were trying to set up somewhere else.I hope they eventually do as a reconstructed Iron Age settlement would be good in Kent.
The group was called Cantiaci.
Don't know the ins and outs of construction but apparantly they can keep the heat in the winter and are cool in the summer.
Maybe building the house round was easier.
Some links:
http://www.cinderbury.co.uk/village.htm
http://www.castellhenllys.com/
http://www.butser.org.uk/
http://www.archaeolink.co.uk/
http://www.crannog.co.uk/
http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/houses.htm
http://www.flagfen.com/iron_age_roundhouse.htm
http://www.bodrifty.co.uk/home.htm
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=conProperty.247
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bat400
Joined:
10-04-2006
Messages: 1332
from South Central Indiana, US
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| Posted 21-06-2006 at 21:04
Quote:
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On 2006-06-19 14:53, Rev wrote:
Roundhouses appear to be a regional phenomenon, mainly associated (but not exclusive) with the British Isles. |
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When you say "roundhouse" does this imply a specific method of building or a specific building material? Or does it mean - just "round" - with any other variables possible?
The Mississippian culture of North America build both round and square buildings using exactly the same materials and methods for both. (Wattle and daub on a base framework of small tree trunks sunk upright in a trench.)
Assuming the same materials and same wall height, a round house with a 10 feet diameter uses the same amount of materials as a square house 7.9 feet on a side. Therefore the round house gives you a wider expanse of floor space.
[ This message was edited by: bat400 on 2006-06-21 21:06 ]
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mishkin
Joined:
11-09-2005
Messages: 213
from Chelmsford
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| Posted 22-06-2006 at 07:33
Thanks both to Rev for bringing up this topic and also to Coldrum for the links. Have been to several of the reconstructed roundhouses, remember Butser years ago, and also to the Peat Moor site, which must be similar to the Cinderbury site in doing weaving and blacksmithing... I suppose round as opposed to square was a traditional way of building, in the same way that local material was always used in building houses, stone, wood, lathe and plaster, cob, in later times. Also when building roundhouses with timber uprights how far do they go down into the soil - impossible probably in places like Cornwall,Wales and Scotland on rock..
Also like the original farming plan of the fields at Butser, a sort of permaculture idea, with the fields radiating out from the central living area..
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Ambriel
Joined:
21-06-2006
Messages: 5
from Kinlochbervie, Scotland
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| Posted 22-06-2006 at 09:42
This might seem like a daft question but do you need to get planning permission for this sort of project?
I can imagine all sorts of complications with modern-day building regulations and suchlike.
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CinderburyWayne
Joined:
24-02-2006
Messages: 3
from Forest of dean
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| Posted 25-06-2006 at 14:09
Hello I owCinderbury in the Forest of Dean and you will be required to get planning permission to build a roundhouse unless you have permitted development right which would entitle you to build a structure of upto 70cubic metres with a roof height of about 4metre. These amounts are approx. We were required to get buiding regs as well, originally they wanted concret footings for the roundhouses.
I think there is a benefit in a round house over a rectangular house in that there are no edges which would be more likely to suffer weather damage. ALso a round structure is better at deflecting wind and is usually stronger than a flat surface. The roof cone allows the smoke to collect more effectively as well. Only guesses as I did not actually live in the Iron Age.
Regards
Wayne
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