I think the pit houses were made because it was much easier than trying to build walls strong enough to support a roof, less material as well. Great idea to have kids learn on site. Ive seen beautiful villages built with stone walls that were similarly below ground level.
I wonder if a possible reason for starting with a pit was to acquire a natural form of insulation. For example, here in Canada we have to build down to at least 4 ft. before getting to ground that won't freeze in winter ... effectively, where the temperature is "neutral". Presumably, in Britain, the depth would be a bit less, but still the same idea.
Please feel free to say that I'm dreaming awake if my thinking is completely off base ;-).
@chrisdeli7158 The Anglo Saxon period was from 410 AD to 1066. Ian in the film mentions this reconstruction was based on remains found from the 6th or 7th century. Hope that helps and thanks for watching WoodlandsTV
I've seen similar houses in Iceland that had turf roofs - they used to have animals grazing on them. Would turf work on top of shingles or was it an alternate choice, and how likely is it that the Anglo-Saxons also used turf as well as thatch?
we actually still use a similar technique when we use wood shingles as a roofing material here in canada and it's still considered one of the best way to do it (can last about 50 years) but it's a bit expensive.
Good point! Supposedly the roof is watertight if maintained. But if it drains in to the pit, or the water table rises you'd have problems. Presumably the Saxons knew where to build
It would be best to have drainage trenches at both sides to carry rain water away from the structure. It used to be common to dig trenches around a tent when out camping. Nowadays, you're not supposed to leave any traces, so digging trenches isn't thought well of any more.
Do you have any evidence that the Saxons used pegs to hold the shingles in place? It seems rather insecure, but you said yours have been in place for 10 years. That's pretty good.
@WOODLANDSTV I would sleep in there with sheep hides, People today are so spoiled, they would be like its got no running water and AC, OMG, Iam Gunna DIE!!..lol
@5tonyvvvv I am thinking of buying some land and putting up a Tee Pee. Just not sure about toilet? and I would like AC, here in TX. I want to live like a spoiled Indian.
@WOODLANDSTV I was actually watching a video about the history of Britian on the Top Documentaries website and they mentioned that many of the Saxons as well as others in the region made a mixture of straw or grass with mud to reinforce the roof, which made perfect sense if done during a dry season or even a sunny day, it would be the closest you'd probably come to cement i am assuming.
I think the pit houses were made because it was much easier than trying to build walls strong enough to support a roof, less material as well. Great idea to have kids learn on site. Ive seen beautiful villages built with stone walls that were similarly below ground level.
lunhil12 1 month ago
How would they have been kept warm and dry? Great idea, small, compact, functional.
goldenscales 1 month ago
0 dislikes and almost 16,000 views...nice :)
DesmondPK 3 months ago 4
@DesmondPK Thanks for pointing that out. I hope you were one of the likes!
WOODLANDSTV 3 months ago
@WOODLANDSTV no problem :) Now 18,500 views and 0 dislikes!
DesmondPK 1 month ago
@WOODLANDSTV lol well he obviously wasn't one of the dislikes!!
XD
bytmeh 4 weeks ago
I wonder if a possible reason for starting with a pit was to acquire a natural form of insulation. For example, here in Canada we have to build down to at least 4 ft. before getting to ground that won't freeze in winter ... effectively, where the temperature is "neutral". Presumably, in Britain, the depth would be a bit less, but still the same idea.
Please feel free to say that I'm dreaming awake if my thinking is completely off base ;-).
NewbieCamper 3 months ago
in what centuries were these homes built?
chrisdeli7158 4 months ago
Comment removed
drpresenter 3 months ago
@chrisdeli7158 The Anglo Saxon period was from 410 AD to 1066. Ian in the film mentions this reconstruction was based on remains found from the 6th or 7th century. Hope that helps and thanks for watching WoodlandsTV
WOODLANDSTV 3 months ago
@WOODLANDSTV And you suppose they'd already store potatoes? back in middle age Europe?
Madmachine73 1 month ago
wouldn't it be quite cold, since the cold air would pool in the bottom?
aseglkj 10 months ago
I've seen similar houses in Iceland that had turf roofs - they used to have animals grazing on them. Would turf work on top of shingles or was it an alternate choice, and how likely is it that the Anglo-Saxons also used turf as well as thatch?
weofodthignen 2 years ago
the greeks said the germans live in earthholes,maybe they mean this kind of structures??
very interesting video.
thank you
mike
cicodelico 2 years ago
we actually still use a similar technique when we use wood shingles as a roofing material here in canada and it's still considered one of the best way to do it (can last about 50 years) but it's a bit expensive.
rocksmylife89 2 years ago
what would happen when it rains?
would it be turning into an indoor swimming pool?
maximillianof98 2 years ago 8
Good point! Supposedly the roof is watertight if maintained. But if it drains in to the pit, or the water table rises you'd have problems. Presumably the Saxons knew where to build
WOODLANDSTV 2 years ago 2
@WOODLANDSTV
It would be best to have drainage trenches at both sides to carry rain water away from the structure. It used to be common to dig trenches around a tent when out camping. Nowadays, you're not supposed to leave any traces, so digging trenches isn't thought well of any more.
Do you have any evidence that the Saxons used pegs to hold the shingles in place? It seems rather insecure, but you said yours have been in place for 10 years. That's pretty good.
deezynar 10 months ago
@WOODLANDSTV I would sleep in there with sheep hides, People today are so spoiled, they would be like its got no running water and AC, OMG, Iam Gunna DIE!!..lol
5tonyvvvv 8 months ago
@5tonyvvvv I am thinking of buying some land and putting up a Tee Pee. Just not sure about toilet? and I would like AC, here in TX. I want to live like a spoiled Indian.
darbone 7 months ago
Comment removed
Tinyoak2 3 months ago
@WOODLANDSTV I was actually watching a video about the history of Britian on the Top Documentaries website and they mentioned that many of the Saxons as well as others in the region made a mixture of straw or grass with mud to reinforce the roof, which made perfect sense if done during a dry season or even a sunny day, it would be the closest you'd probably come to cement i am assuming.
Tinyoak2 3 months ago
@maximillianof98 Ive got plans to build abit of a 'modern' one myself. I'll let you know how it works.
WarriorOfTheBlackSun 1 year ago
@WarriorOfTheBlackSun make a video of it if you do
stealth1692 10 months ago
5/5m8
knifeguyeddy 2 years ago