TIMBER PREPARATION
Another fine week has ended. The weather is still surprisingly warm and dry for October!
After last week’s induction, the Core Volunteers have returned to begin the preparation of structural timbers for the building. The Primary Rafters, twenty two Scots Pines, each one eight metres long, have been hauled out of the compound to be processed. Each of these trees will need to be de-barked and hewn to shape using steel and stone tools. The aim is to reduce their overall weight and to present a ‘squared’ finish in the finished roof members. Some people might find the effort to dress these timbers to a square (technically rectangular) finish as surprising. The assumption is usually that large structures in the Neolithic would have used round timbers in the most expedient way possible.
Although direct Neolithic carpentry evidence is rare, examples of sophisticated timber processing can be seen in the remarkably preserved well-linings of Germany. Here, clear evidence of radial splitting, plank shaping with stone adzes and the cutting of mortises and square tenons are clearly exhibited. It is worth remembering that these well linings, although supremely functional, were never intended to be seen once installed. Looking at the beautiful adze marks on the planks and the care taken to make complex interlocking carpentry joints, we can only imagine the care and attention to detail those same Neolithic builders may have demonstrated in large buildings!
The Core Volunteers have continued developing their axe skills and the progression from last week to this is plainly evident.
We have also been introducing the first stone tools to the project. Polished stone adzes and axes have been tentatively tested by the volunteers. The learning curve is steep at this stage. For many, last week saw their first ever use of steel axes and already they are having to take their new-found skill and adapt it the the very different angles and swing required to use stone tools efficiently.
Our stone tools have been produced by Dr James Dilley, an experimental archaeologist I have known for many years. He has produced some stunning tools with sturdy, functional hafts and it has been a pleasure to swing them against freshly felled Scots Pine for the first time. We are recording the effects of these tools during their use. Our data will include timings, number of blows, and volume of material removed by each tool and individual volunteer as a baseline. In this way I should be able to see the progression and refinement of individual skills along with any subtle differences in tool efficiency. My goal is to be able to point ant any authentically worked timber or joint and be able to say how long it took, which tool and volunteer was responsible and potentially suggest the volume of labour required to produce the entire structure with polished stone tools.
However, we are also interested in the less tangible aspects of this project; the lessons, thoughts and observations of the people involved. One early observation by volunteers has been the audible difference between the sound of steel and stone tools at work. The stone tools produce a more mellow sound on the timber. I have taken advantage of a quiet day to record many of these sounds as a Neolithic axe soundscape. The results are here…
At this stage, the majority of work on site surrounds the preparation of trees into structural timbers. As the project progresses, these blogs will look in detail at the construction process and the debates that surround a unique project like this.