Roundhouse replica begins rise from ashes of blaze

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

Work to rebuild a replica of an ancient roundhouse destroyed in a suspected arson attack is to begin.

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

Roundhouse expert David Freeman will lead the project, which is expected to take up to nine months.

Jacqueline Mooney, the site's general manager, said she was "deeply grateful and humbled by the huge amount of support from our community".

The building was constructed in 2022 by a team of volunteers, based on an Iron Age roundhouse discovered at Cats Water, next to Flag Fen

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

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

"This collective effort is helping us recover quickly, protect our heritage, and continue delivering our award-winning education programme," said Ms Mooney.

Countless volunteers and community groups have stepped in since the fire, helping to speed up completion of another type of roundhouse (above)

The first stage of the rebuild, which includes laying its foundations, will be held at an event on Monday.

Visitors 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.

In the meantime, volunteers and community groups, including the 5th Peterborough Central Scouts Group, have been working on a Bronze Age (2,500 BC - 800 BC) replica roundhouse.

Once completed, it will be the site's second copy of the Bronze Age building.

Flag Fen is an important historic site dating back more than 3,000 years and it 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.