Volunteers rally for roundhouse replica rebuild

Volunteers have come together to begin work to rebuild a replica of an ancient roundhouse destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

The thatched Iron Age-era copy was almost completely destroyed in the blaze at Peterborough's Flag Fen Archaeology Park on 13 July.

Jacqueline Mooney, the site's general manager, said: "The reaction from the public has been incredible."

The rebuild is expected to take about nine months.

People have been donating to a fundraising campaign set up in the wake of the fire to rebuild the roundhouse.

Historic England has also offered financial support and the National Trust's Wimpole Estate, near Cambridge, has offered materials.

Roundhouse expert David Freeman, who is leading the project, said the team would be using modern tools which had been made "identical to those from the Iron Age".

"From the archaeological point, we are looking at working out how the ancient peoples did it," he explained.

"But what you do, is you create something that is familiar to people.

"It's a house - it's a home - and when you build to a decent scale and you furnish them to the archaeology, people recognise it as a home."

Carrying heavy logs together on Monday as work started, one volunteer said it was "really interesting to learn about the Iron Age and earlier practices - and I want to be part of that".

Another praised the fantastic site and team, adding: "I want to get stuck in."

While one described it as "an exciting opportunity to really be hands-on, helping to preserve our heritage for now and for future generations".

Ms Mooney added: "So many people who work on the park, or worked on it, have taken part in building it, including myself.

"All our teachers on site used the park daily to tell school children stories around the campfire."

Visitors involved in the first stage of the rebuild, which includes laying its foundations, will be able to learn how to make suitable building materials, including the coppicing of willow and hazel and splitting timbers for rafters and stakes.

Flag Fen dates back more than 3,000 years and has produced many archaeological finds.

The Iron Age (800 BC - AD50) replica roundhouse that was destroyed was built in 2022 with donations from the Arts Council England, the Francis and Maisie Pryor Charitable Trust and Tyrrell Builders.

The park said it was used as an educational resource and it hosted about 10,000 children a year during its lifespan.

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