What is it like to build and live in a house from over 11,000 years ago?
A team from the York Museums Trust and the University of York, and experts in ancient technology and archaeology, will build a Mesolithic house in York Museum Gardens this summer.
The build will begin on Wednesday 7 August, and will use evidence from the world famous prehistoric archaeological site at Star Carr in Yorkshire – with one of the most important discoveries at the site being the oldest known house in Britain.
The house construction in the Museum gardens will use techniques and materials, such as stone tools and plant materials, which would have been used 11,000 years ago.
This project has been made possible by funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
Dr Adam Parker, curator of Archaeology at York Museums Trust, said: “This is an extraordinary opportunity to experience a Mesolithic build, using evidence based information such as the tools and the resources, much of which we are showing in the Museum.
“It’s a chance to get to know and understand a relatively unknown period of history in a fun and open way for all ages.”
Professor Nicky Milner, Head of Archaeology at Univeristy of York, added “We are really excited to be working with experts in the Museum Gardens to replicate the earliest known structures in Britain. It is a rare opportunity to really demonstrate the immense skill and ingenuity of Mesolithic people. We hope it will transport visitors back to life in North Yorkshire over 11,000 years ago!”
The build accompanies the exhibition inside the Yorkshire Museum on ‘Life After the Ice’ – where visitors can learn more about the site of Star Carr and see the real-life tools, objects and ritual artefacts found there. The house will be built by Sunday 11 August, with the build remaining in place until Sunday 1 September.
From 7-11 August associated activities hosted by the University of York will also take place – with a series of hands-on opportunities, as well as daily short talks and on-site demonstrations from some of the team who excavated Star Carr.
Visitors will be able to handle replica objects used as part of daily activity in the Mesolithic and learn more about the people who lived at Star Carr.
Find out more at what’s going on at the Yorkshire Museum at their website here.