Team builds replica of Iron Age roundhouse

The structure is expected to be complete by the end of April

An Iron Age roundhouse is being built by a team of archaologists and volunteers near Glastonbury.

It is the second attempt by Avalon Archaology, which is trying to build the structure on the Avalon Marshes before the end of April.

The roundhouse is based on evidence from Glastonbury Lake Village, a site halfway between Glastonbury and Godney.

Dr Richard Brunning, the lead archaeologist for the project, has described the structure like an "upturned basket."

"Rather uniquely for British archaeology, we've got the remains of the wall posts that still survived there," said Dr Brunning.

The walls are made of small round wood posts set 40cm (15.7 inches) into the ground, just as they were at the original site.

The waterlogged peat of the Lake Village has uniquely preserved wooden remains, including wall posts, providing rare insights into Iron Age construction methods.

Dr Brunning explained that the settlement, built on wetland near the River Brue, was occupied for about 150 years before the Roman arrival.

"A whole series of roundhouses were built there and it's probably our best preserved Iron Age settlement ever discovered in the UK."

Volunteer Steve Newman said he enjoys the camaraderie and hands-on learning

The Avalon Archaeology project began in 2015 and volunteers have created reconstructions of buildings, including a Saxon Longhall and the dining room of a Roman Villa.

The reconstruction of the Iron Age roundhouse began in 2023.

Volunteer Steve Newman, who has helped at Avalon Marshes for a decade, finds the experience deeply rewarding.

He said he enjoys the camaraderie and hands-on learning, particularly in woodworking.

"It brings the past to life," he said, imagining how Iron Age people built these structures to last around ten years.

"This was just an empty site when we started and now there's lots of buildings on it," he said.

"We're constantly learning about why we do things and what they found in the past and it brings the past to life."