Click for Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort home page How to build a Roundhouse
Roundhouses as Castell Henllys were built using a vast range of materials including timber of many types and sizes, reed, clay and dung (daub) and rope. The use of all these materials go together to produce roundhouses of great strength and comfort.
 
The original foundations of the prehistoric structures are revealed by archaeologists.
 Prehistoric evidence
Posts being sunk into the ground
Posts are sunk into the ground at intervals to establish the walls.
The ring of posts is complete.

Ring of posts

Wattle is added to form the walls

 Wattle is then weaved between the posts to create the walls.
With the help of scaffolding, the roof poles are added.
 Roof poles are added
A thatcher at work

Thatching is applied to the roof.

There is no chimney - smoke will naturally disperse through the thatching.

   

To see an animated version of the building of a roundhouse, check out the BBC's History Site: -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/british_prehistory/