The epic task of timber processing has continued while we wait for some of the modern aspects of this project to be completed.
The experimental tool use has continued, with volunteers displaying marked improvements in their tool use. Data sets continue to be collected. It will be interesting to see what detail we will be able to glean from our experiments – although it may be many months before we have collected and analysed enough experiments to yield worthwhile results.
The four main posts have returned to the project – having been fitted with stainless steel bolts. This modern compromise is an essential aspect of this project for English Heritage. Given the expense of a traditional structure like this, these modern elements enable an organisation to plan many years ahead in terms of building longevity. Although important experimental data is lost by the use of modern footings for the 4 main structural posts, it means that the building has a known longevity and this justifies the expense of the project.
Experimentally, this project is still very worthwhile – with 50 further (but smaller) posts being earthbound, along with the hundreds of experiments that will examine the use of polished stone tools, the creation of Neolithic carpentry joints using those tools, and the record of individual volunteers and their learning curves while performing each type of task. By the end of the project, will will know far more about the realities of producing large-timber buildings in the late Neolithic at Durrington Walls.
The four main posts have been prepared. Their surfaces scraped with flint tools, and the main joints (cup joints with integral tenons) shaped with steel tools. Time constraints have forced our hand – and we have had to use modern tools on these key joints in an attempt to make up some of the lost time due to the modern ground works. Although this opportunity has been lost to the experimental process, we will shape a similar joint in one of our oak off-cuts as the project progresses – allowing us a valuable chance to gather this unique data set.
During the working of Main Post 4, a potentially serious ‘shake’ (split) was discovered that threatened to destroy the post. Unlike our Neolithic ancestors, we do not have the luxury of ‘simply’ felling another tree for the required task. Post 4 was already fitted with the stainless steel fittings and so we were forced to remedy the issue with additional modern fixings (16M threaded bolts, nuts and washers). The fixed timber will be plugged to disguise this essential fix and another lesson learned that the combination of modern and ancient methods do not always sit comfortably with each other.
Our hope is that the modern elements of this build will be completed in 2 weeks time – thus allowing Neolithic and traditional methods to take over. The volunteers are as keen as mustard to push the project on and to get to grips with actual construction. After many weeks of timber preparation, we are all more than ready to start putting things in the ground and to see the build take shape.