The Chiltern Open Air Museum rescues threatened historic buildings, which would otherwise be demolished, and rebuilds and preserves them. David was invited to run Bushcraft sessions in their wonderful recreation of an Iron Age roundhouse.
The day began with baking bread in the cob oven, it was lovely to have the smell of fresh bread wafting around the roundhouse. David introduced children and adults to woodland crafts and teaching everyone how to make string from nettles – thank you to everyone who visited the Iron Age house at The Chiltern Open Air Museum.
There was lots of interest in making string from natural fibres. Having demonstrated how to process nettles to make cordage; peeling away the outer fibres from the pith, everyone had a go. They then we went on to twist those fibres to make a piece of string to take home.
In these pictures , you can see what it must have been like to live in an Iron Age Roundhouse. This one was built to the designs of those thought to have been in the Chilterns circa 50 AD, but is very similar to those that had been in use since 2500 BC.
Yes, it was a little smoky at times, especially when getting the oven fired up. But as soon as the fire was burning bright the air would clear – well comparatively! The roundhouses had no chimneys, the smoke would find its own way out through the thatch. Can you can see the round wooden door on the floor, this was the fridge and very good it was to at keeping my butter and cheese cool.