Location

The first step in taking the dream of building an Iron Age Roundhouse from our minds into reality is finding a location fit for such an undertaking. The exact where-a-abouts has been a topic of much discussion and debate, but finally we settled on an area that has so much more to offer than just an adequate building site. One of the members of our group owns a farm, which offers plenty of opportunity for building projects as well as privacy when needed. The decided location for the Round House is on a now abandoned hay field, surrounded by trees and gullies on two sides, a field of barley (for now, later to become a period crop such as Emmer wheat) on another and the long stretch of field on the other, expanding far enough and complete with enough turns, dips and hills that the house will not be visible from the entrance to the field.

The naturally beautiful view is enhanced by the lack of modernization. Houses and evidence of civilization is minimal to none. Aside from the odd aeroplane to fly over and the odd sound of a vehicle on the nearby roads (which are remote and therefore rather quiet) we should be able to lose ourselves entirely into the location and efficiently step back into time without modern distractions...

The flora and fauna of the area also provides us with many advantages. Just behind the area where the roundhouse will be constructed, there is a long ravine with a natural water source and spring running through it. A vast number and assortment of trees and bushes engulf the area, providing building materials and natural habitat for wildlife. The bushes include wild raspberries, gooseberries and saskatoons, offering much fruit when in season. Aside from bushes there is also a multitude of wild strawberries growing in large areas across the field.

Berries aside, there are no shortages of herbs and natural medicinal plants such as the Yarrow, known as a "heal all", and other flowers which are purely decorative. The wooded area offers an assortment of plants, which in time can serve many purposes to us once our house (and village) is further established.