Materials appeal for roundhouse destroyed in arson

The replica roundhouse was destroyed in a blaze at Flag Fen Archaeology Park

An appeal has been made for materials to help rebuild a replica Iron Age thatched roundhouse destroyed in an arson attack.

The roundhouse at Flag Fen Archaeology Park, Peterborough, was burnt down on Sunday 12 July.

About £13,000 has been raised to help restore the replica and an appeal has now been made for building materials such as string, wood and wattle.

Cambridgeshire Police said the incident remained under investigation and no arrests had been made.

Flag Fen Archaeology Park manager Jacqueline Mooney said: "You'd be surprised how much string goes into making a roundhouse"

The roundhouse was one of two replicas at the site.

One represented the Bronze Age (2,500 BC - 800 BC) and the other, which has been destroyed, represented the Iron Age (800 BC - AD50).

Flag Fen Archaeology Park manager Jacqueline Mooney said it was not "terribly difficult" build a roundhouse but they needed money for materials and volunteers to help rebuild the structure.

She said: "It's been so heartening to see what the people of Peterborough and the surrounding area think about Flag Fen and just over £13,000 raised since last Monday evening is awesome... we really feel the love."

A fundraising target of £50,000 was set to rebuild the replica.

Ms Mooney said they still wanted donations including materials like round wood, wattle, oak or ash coals.

'3,000 -year-old porridge'

Dr Francis Pryor led the original excavations at Flag Fen in 1982 and said it was right for Peterborough to be "proud" of what it had to offer.

He remembered discovering the site in November 1982 when his foot hit a piece of wood shaped like a pencil which he realised was a bronze age post.

"It's a unique site because of its superb preservation because the site has been waterlogged for 3,000 years this has meant that the water has preserved the sort of stuff that would normally rot [such as wood leaves or grains of pollen].

"If we find a bowl or a pot, very often it will have food in it like preserved porridge - 3,000-year-old porridge.

"It is a very important site because we have all aspects of life there and you get a uniquely colourful impression of what life was like 3,000 years ago."

He urged people to experience the site and its roundhouses.

"I think it's essential we make the most of it and continue to be proud of the fantastic heritage we have in Peterborough," he added.

Cambridgeshire Police said the incident remained under investigation and no arrests had been made.