Ever fancied building a broch?

25 September 2011

The STONEworks Early Architecture Project is inviting volunteers to come help build (and collapse) a broch between 19th Sept and 15th October.

AOC Archaeology Group is pleased to be working with Caithness Archaeological Trust and Archie Sinclair Fossil Trust on their new community experimental archaeology project, STONEworks Early Architecture Project.

For four weeks from Monday September 19th 2011, we will be learning about building methods in the past; work will involve the construction of a section of broch, potentially reaching 10-12m in height. The wall will feature intra-mural galleries, as these were common in Iron Age brochs. Building the broch with large slabs of Caithness flagstone will be hard work, but we trust that participants will relish the challenge and enjoy the communal endeavour!

One of the main research interests of the project is to force the collapse of the structure, and in doing so, to find out more about the way in which brochs collapse. We will learn about this poorly understood process by depositing various items at specified locations in the broch walls; when we force the collapse of the broch, we can identify where those items ended up. This will hopefully reveal much about the processes that some archaeological artefacts go through before archaeologists find them many years later.

Volunteers of all ages are invited to take part; no experience is required, tools and training will be provided, and it’s free to participate. Artists, photographers, film-makers and art students will also be welcomed should they choose to come and take inspiration from the creation of an imposing and beautiful structure.

A traditional skills workshop and children’s activity day, a guided walk and evening talks will also take place, ensuring that everyone can get caught up in this exciting community project. Please see the schedule of events for more information.

To take part or for more information, please contact Derek of Caithness Archaeological Trust email@caithnessarchaeology.org.uk Tel: 01593 731 269.