Building an Anglo-Saxon Pit House with Hand Tools - Part II | Medieval Primitive Bushcraft Shelter
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ค. 2023
- Anglo-Saxon settlers built Early Medieval pit houses with primitive tools, digging foundations, raising earth and wattle walls and thatched or shingle roofs.
After gaining victory over the Britons at the Battle of Peonnum in 658 A.D. the Gewissæ pushed south west towards the River Parrett.
While the tribal elites fought for power and territorial control Anglo-Saxon freemen settled unclaimed land amongst their Romano-British cousins.
The first structures built were pit houses, used first as military outposts and dwellings and then as workshops and storehouses once settlements grew and timber longhouses were erected.
Anglo-Saxon pit houses are often found with the remains of loom weights, pottery or metal-working crafts, and are therefore interpreted as craft-related buildings or store houses subsidiary to larger post-built dwellings.
Pit houses or sunken featured buildings are the most common structures found in Anglo-Saxon and Early Medieval archaeological remains.
Today, all that remains archaeologically of these structures is the pit itself and the accompanying post-holes. There is usually little evidence for floors, walls or roof structures.
Reconstructions of Anglo-Saxon pit-houses must therefore incorporate building techniques that are "archaeologically invisible" in order to be accurate or at least plausible.
"Archaeological invisible" building technologies often proposed for Anglo-Saxon pit houses include A-frame rafters resting on the ground, wattle walls staked into the upcast earth but not below ground level, or walls resting on sill beams.
The orientation, pit and post-hole features of this pit house are an accurate reconstruction of Sunken Featured Building 8 excavated at the West Saxon settlement near Lechlade-on-Thames, dated to the 7th century. The archaeological report can be found here: Prehistoric and Anglo-Saxon Settlements to the rear of Sherborne House, Lechlade: excavations in 1997. 2003. C Bateman, D Enright, N Oakey.
www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk...
Despite constant warfare between tribal elites, the Anglo-Saxons often peacefully settled land left unoccupied after the Roman withdrawal from Britain, amongst neighbouring Romano-British communities.
This led to considerable cultural exchange between the Anglo-Saxons and Romano-British, resulting in what is now known as Insular culture during the late 7th and 8th centuries.
Hazel rods were woven in between the stakes to form the wattle walls to head-height when standing in the base of the pit.
For the ridge-pole, a pole as straight, long and even as possible was felled. The tree had a slight curve, which was orientated upwards when setting the ride-pole to give the roof a slight upwards curve towards the middle, or "hog-back".
The ridge-pole was carved to sit snugly into the forks of the upright posts, so that it would not slip out of place.
All supporting and exposed timbers were de-barked to discourage insects and rot.
The base of each upright post was charred before setting them into the post-holes. It is said that charring timber extends the life of the post by discouraging rot at the point where the post is buried.
The uprights posts were set into post-holes dug to a depth of 1.3 feet below the base of the pit. This is the depth of the original post-holes found in the archaeological excavation.
Rafters were cut and notched at the point where they would be lashed to the wattle walls. The rafters were lashed on with hazel withies.
Withies are made by carefully twisting young hazel saplings until the fibres separate, forming a strong, durable cordage.
Rope and woven cord was made by hand during the Anglo-Saxon period, and was a time consuming process. Withies on the other hand are faster and more durable, so withies would have likely been used wherever possible.
A porch roof over the entranceway was constructed, resting on forked uprights. After thatching, these will strengthened by extending the wattle and daub walls.
The rafters are ready to be interwoven with hazel rods, in the same way as the wattle walls. These interwoven rods will give stability to the rafters as well as act as purlins for the thatching.
With thanks to:
Herknungr, Musician, playing 'The Wolf Chieftan'.
Hector Cole, Blacksmith, for forging the Saxon T-shaped Axe.
Grzegorz Kulig, Silversmith, for making the pattern-welded knife.
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Hi all! You can check the subtitles and description for much more detail. Thanks for watching, and many thanks to Herknungr for the music 'The Wolf Chieftain'! If you like what I do and want to support me further, consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/gesithasgewissa/
That was a splendid idea. Interesting video for a viking who is also in the proces of building a pit house. It is in Denmark and a reconstruction from the Danish site, Stege. Ours will be used to house school classes when it rains too much during their visit.
@@DavidZennaro Thank you David. That's great you are also building a pit house, I will have to research Stege! What's the dating on that site? Thanks for sharing ☺
@@gesithasgewissa I am sorry to have taken so long to answer you but my answer has been delayed by the holidays here. Anyway, the site is called Tvedemosegård or Tvedemosegaard. I Danish that is the same. It is located on the peninsula of Stevns near the town called Stege. There is a number of viking sites in that area. The name Tvedemosegård is constructed of 3 parts: tvede, mose and gård. Gård means farm, mose means bog, and tvede means clearing (in a forrest). It makes it undoutedly from the viking age (olddanish thwet). The corresponding namepart from England is thwaithe and tuit in Normandy. (Danish National Encyclopedia.)
I asked a friend who is a former archeaologist about how to find the report from the dig and she suggested google. This is all I got: backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/55671507/ris_m_2715.pdf. It is a report from the Danish Technical University from 1987 (in English) and it is about their radiocarbondating of a number of sites in Denmark. It mentions Tvedemosegård and states that it was excavated in 1986. Journal number 6464/86. I have not been able to find any more about it as of now.
Man Europe is so cool, why did I get stuck in Australia?😢
You seem to have a lot of hazel in your surroundings, i mainly write this comment for the algorythm, cause this content deserves more attention
Yes, all overgrown hazel coppice and hedges, none of it very straight sadly, but nonetheless very helpful! I appreciate the support, thank you!
Near a stream, with good valley bottom soil, and enough grazing for livestock, and a ready source of fuel. Hazel likes good soil and moist ground, and it regrows very quickly, and is a food source in itself. Easy to clear as needed for gardens and cropland, an indicator of fertile soil. Sites were likely chosen to be near hazel, it's a most useful plant, and endlessly renewable.
@@armandbourque2468 i mean, that is true, for me it is just rare to see large amounts of hazel in my area or even in videos so i wanted to point it out
Hazel is great for bending, willow too.
Agree!!!!
"Guys only want one thing and it's.... ?building an anglo-saxon pit house with hand tools?"
Haha! Indeed!
So true.
But I'm in the tropics so maybe that would be two things. Moving to a temperature clime and building an Anglo-Saxon out house with hand tools.
Yes, TH-cam, THIS is the kind of content I want. Now you nailed it! Behold! I was looking for middle ages content and I have found pure GOLD! 😂 🙌🏻
Thank you so much!
Life back then was a non-stop workout. Powerful grip strength.
Yes indeed! Thank you!
@@gesithasgewissadoes it hurt your hands, manipulating the wood?
@@elizabethwoolnough4358 Not the usual chopping and carving, but making withies is quite tiring. I could only make about 10 in one go before my hands needed a good rest.
I’m amazed both by the workmanship and the silence. God knows I’d be talking and swearing to myself the whole time. Really good stuff dude 👍
Haha, you never know, maybe I cut all the cursing out! 😉
You made debarking that log at 2:00 look like absolute child’s play!! This entire construction is beautifully done.
Thank you!
It's starting to come together really nicely. That roof beam fixing to the door frame is pretty ingenious, I would have spent ages trying to think of a way to blend and incorporate the two.
Thanks Sean! I admit I didn't come up with the idea, I found it while poring through pictures of medieval house reconstructions, but it is quite elegant!
@@gesithasgewissa. BY TRUTH VIDS .. 100proofs the Israelites or white ..Jesus is white revelation 1:14:15. ,, and the kings of Israel or white look at David’s picture … the tribe of Dan. She’ll be the judge🧑🏻🦳👱🏻♂️👩🏻🦳👱🏻♂️🧑🏻🦳👱🏻.. Mary came to know her husband she had three sons and two daughters Basque, the tribe of Judah of Europe, but they invaded Europe, and they keep on invading our nations to kill us. Every race turned into Islam even Russia’s army deer hunting my white family down the woman seed white people are the woman said even married to make Jesus a genesis.3:15: and revelation 12:3 to 16.. Jacobs pillows in Scotland long live the white people
Those twisted fiber ties are impressive! When they dry and shrink there will be no undoing those joints. I sure learned something new.
Hazel withies are a wonder! And much quicker than making yards and yards of rope! Thanks for watching
This is experimental anthropology at its finest. Very inspiring! Keep up the great work, and perhaps I'll give this a swing in my own neck of the woods.
Thank you, I'm glad you think so! You definitely should, it's great fun.
I love the history notes included. Real step up for this kind of chill content.
Thanks, I'm glad the extra information is appreciated!
Used that method of twisting greenwood as a youngster when building a lean-to for camping. Memories.
They're really useful! Thanks for watching
Don’t forget to put some cool things in the post holes so Time Team 2350 can have some finds to be chuffed about! Great build! Truly beautiful to watch!
Oh yes I'll need to a few gold bracteates in there for sure! 😆 Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Try tamping your posts with a pointed tamper. Counterintuitive i know but the point consolidates the soil in a lateral direction as well as vertical unlike a blunt one.
Looking good your pit house.
Thank you, I will try that next time!
When you started twisting that hazel, my mind went 'dude's unzipping a whole ass tree with his bare hands 😮'
I just stumbled upon your channel, I'm 3 videos in and I'm obsessed. Content, presentation, editing, it's a stellar job all around. Keep up the good work and thank you!
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Starting to shape up nicely! Can't wait to watch you tackle the thatching!
Thank you! I'm a little nervous for the thatching, that's the hard part!
Wow, this is so cool! I can't believe building a traditional Anglo-Saxon pit house using only hand tools. It's amazing to see how our ancestors lived and the skills they had. I love learning about primitive bushcraft and this video is right up my alley. Can't wait to see how it turns out!
Thank you! I have huge respect for our ancestors, following in their footsteps. I'm glad you're enjoying it!
8:57 this green wood cordage will shrink as it dries and get crazy tight. Nice stuff.
Still going strong! Thanks.
That's so cool, I always wanted to watch someone making rope from the very beginning 😀
Withies are such a fun way to make rope!
A new Gesiþas Gewissa video, what a great way to start the day
Glad you think so, thanks for watching!
as someone from the Anglo saxon Homeland, this is amazing
Thank you!
Mr Chickadee and Primitive Technology had a baby and this content was made.
Honoured to be compared to both!
What beautiful and efficient angles :) It's cool to see withies used. I watch a Vietnamese bushcrafter and they use thin, narrow strips of bamboo in a very similar way, although they twist the withy even more into a spiral "knot" and then tuck it in.
I'm told the Eastern European equivalent of "Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs" is "Don't teach your grandmother to twist birch" :D It must have truly been a foundational technology
Thank you! Haha, I much prefer the Eastern European version!
This kind of stuff is going to confuse archeologists someday.
Haha, I hope so!
Archaeologists are often confused by things of a practical nature. If they don't understand the practicality of something, they call it ritual or religious. Take the raised walkway that stretches across from fengate in Peterbrough to what was Whittlesey Island. It has a wider section halfway along, which Richard Prior had no idea that the practicality of it was a passing place.,and thought at one point had a religious building on it.
Why would this confuse them ? They have advance technology to determine the age of any thing with the help of carbon dating they can differentiate a thing billion of years old and recent things.
Ok, this is my favorite channel now. Great dedication, literally everything accurate with material base. Little talking, lots of doing.
Thank you for your time and effort, it is highly appreciated!
Thanks Hrafnir! I'm glad you appreciate the historical accuracy!
Nifty hatchet! And, excellent withy work.
Thanks!
Raw archaeology - wonderful !
Raw archaeology, great description! Thank you!
I can't wait to see the end result so far its amazing
Thank you!
Love how you made the "rope" out of the saplings!
Thank you! Hazel is a wonder material!
Looks great so far man
Thank you! ☺
The style of these videos is second to none. I’m very excited for the next episode and seeing the final results! Keep up the great work😊
Thank you my friend! ☺
Wow, looking good! Can't wait to see how this project progresses.
Thank you, more to come soon!
Anyone else just thinking about Medieval Dynasty? Just me?
😆😆😆
Yes!
Yes
Looks fantastic - can’t wait to see how it progresses!! 🤩
Thank you Meg, more to come soon!
What a splendid hoval. I'd live there. It can get pretty windy in Britain though.
Thank you. It does indeed, it has survived the last winter well enough though.
Great as always and inspiring for future projects on the other side of the Channel. Greetings from the early medieval bretons of Letavia!
Thank you! Greetings to you, it's always great to see more beautifully researched Late Antique - Early Medieval reenactment like yours. Hails from the murky Britannia 😆
Man, he moves and works soooooo slow!!!!
Still so cool!!
It's all good, I've got the time 😄
Love and respect.
Learnt something new that is workable as shelter during shtf
Thank you! I'm glad you found it interesting!
Hazel seems like an amazing material to work with.
It truly is! Thanks for watching
Will you ever spend a day or two in the Anglo-Saxon Pithouse after everything is finished? It would be very interesting to see a recreation on how individuals lived back then.
Yes definitely! I will be doing other craft projects in and around the house, and can certainly do a recreation of how a typical day might have looked in different seasons. Anything in particular you'd like to see? Thanks for the question!
@@gesithasgewissa I am not exactly sure what people did on a daily basis but you could try to cook pottage or bake bread aswell as make food depending on the season
@@unbeatable_all Yes I'll do some Anglo-Saxon food videos - foraging, growing and cooking. I'm looking forward to that. Thanks for the feedback!
I just found this channel last night, and subscribed immediately. I have been informally studying prehistory and experimental archaeology for decades.
Many of these techniques go back thousands of years ... none of this, except textile weaving and metal forging, was at all new in 661 CE. It's interesting to see the old methods still had a use, in a time when the Romans had fast food and indoor plumbing.
Yes, these crafts were ancestral, even back then. Even textile weaving and forging were thousands of years old at this point!
@@gesithasgewissa Agreed on the textiles and forging, but the methods and products used in 661 were much more sophisticated than, say, in the Bronze Age.
Thanks so much for teaching this kind of history, you don't see it that much.
Thank you, that means a lot! I'm really glad people are enjoying this, it's important we stay connected to our history.
Your axe-handling skills are commendable! I very much like your videos, thank you!
Thank you very much!
Im absolutely loving this playlist, ty!!!
Thanks for watching!
I am thoroughly enjoying your videos! They're interesting, informative and relaxing as hell!
Glad to hear it! Thank you so much!
You're a real artist with that ax.
Thank you very much!
It's Here!
It is indeed! Thanks for watching!
Awesome! Like your doing a lot. That is mankind. Build all you need with less tools and lot nature! Like to see more! 👊👊👊
Thank you so much, it's great to be out amongst the trees using traditional tools. More to come soon!
These are such beautifully made videos. Really impressed with twisting the green sicks to make rope.
Thank you! Withies are seriously useful!
Now I can't wait for part three.
I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!
I am insanely jealous watching you build this my friend, awesome job
Thank you very much! ☺
7:20 very clever idea 👍🏻
Thanks!
Coming along nicely. Been waiting for this.
Thank you Dan!
Man I wish I could be out there buildin this stuff with you
Thanks for watching!
Extremely impressive. Thanks for putting in all that hard work and sharing your passion and knowledge.
Thanks for watching and the kind words, much appreciated!
Great video. I really like the idea with the hazelnut rope. Keep it up
Thank you, making natural cordage is very satisfying!
I like your friends' creative ideas in building shelters that are sure to be safe and comfortable, to continue working in the world of camping
Thank you! Glad you are enjoying the videos!
Awesome! Can't wait to see the next part of this build!
Thank you!
Good work. Love this architectural period. Awesome! Can't wait to see the next part of this build!.
Glad you enjoyed, next part coming soon!
This guy just forced a tree to turn into rope by sheer willpower and hand strength
They're rather willing if you ask nicely ☺
This is amazing!
Thank you!
Fantastic!
Thank you!
Outstanding job sir!
Thank you!
Thank you for the great video
Thanks for watching!
Great video. I love the detail on every step. Very inspiring, thank you for sharing!
Thanks for watching, I'm glad it inspired you!
Very cool build. Can't wait to see it finished. 👍👍
Thank you! Part III coming soon!
Great use of the withies.
Thank you!
Wow him maming the cordage by twisting the tree is new to me! Thats a good technique
It's a great way to make nice strong rope relatively quickly!
Wow , incredible work. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
I love this!!
Glad to hear it!
That is super cool. Great work and good detail on explaining what you are doing. Keep it going. I am looking forward to the next one.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the description!
Looks great. Can't wait for the next episode.
I'm working on Part III now, thanks for watching!
Good work. Love this architectural period🇺🇸
Thank you! Me too, I love timber framing and related building technologies like this one.
I have enjoyed your videos. Please keep them coming
Thank you, more coming soon!
House one: Boat and sail as shelter. House two: dugout storage for weather exclusion of harvested food. House three: Longhouse with proper ash underflooring for heat retention and pest control.
That's the plan!!
Cool
Thank you!
I love what you have done!!
Thank you!!
This is fascinating, thank you for doing this!
Thanks for watching!
Very educational and entertaining.
Glad to hear it!
can't wait for the next part
Thank you, working on Part III now!
thou must make more videos ❤💪
I certainly will!
Absolute chad replied to every comment,
Thanks 😆 if you take the time to comment, then I'll take the time to reply! It's good to be grateful to those supporting you
Good channel, good creator. All I need.
Awesome work. Can't wait to watch the rest. Subscribed.
Thank you and Welcome!
This is really cool I'd love to have a go at this. Very impressive, I'm looking forward to seeing the next part. You've definitely got skills, great work!
I appreciate the kind words, thank you for watching!
enjoying these videos
Thanks for watching!
This looks great
Thank you!
Awesome.
Thank you!
Looking amazing. Great progress. Fantastic work as always brother!
Thank you friend!
That structure looks cool as hell! You’re so good with those tools ❤ Great video✨
Thank you!
Another typically brilliant video! So pleased you are following your dream , but you are such a loss to the reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo ship!!
More power to your elbows😂
Thanks Tim! I do the miss the ship and you all at the project! Withies are easier on the elbows but maybe not the hands 😆
Great job!
Thank you!
Awesome
Thanks!
Dude seems super healthy. Like, he must have barely had smallpox at all.
It missed me, I got lucky 😄
Lovely video. I was looking forward to this. In addition to the building, i liked "the bounty of the wildwood" could you include more of those as the seasons progress? I would also like you to include some info regarding the recovery of the coppiced areas that you are harvesting from. I feel that ancient peoples would use all techniques available to enhance the materials available to them. Looking forward to more videos. Xx
Hi Louisa, I will include more wild plants and foods as the seasons pass. Once the house is built I could do some Anglo-Saxon meals using foraged foods for example. And yes, I will definitely be doing a full coppicing video! The best time to do it is in winter. At the moment, I am really just selectively thinning the stools so as not to take too much from each hazel stool during the summer. Thanks for watching!
I love this channel!
Glad to hear it!
Great job
Thank you!
Just found your channel and this brilliant video. Can't wait to see the next stage. Subbed. Atb Mike.
Welcome Mike! Glad you enjoyed and thanks for watching.
Very interesting and well executed process. Well done !
I'm glad you found it interesting! Thanks for watching!
Love this stuff
Thank you!
Great content! Looks really authentisch. Keep going
Thank you, I will!