Image: An illustration of the Mesolithic house set to be built (Yorkshire Museum)
Techniques dating back 11,000 years will be used to create the prehistoric dwelling in the museum’s gardens
Next month construction will begin on a Mesolithic-era house, to be built using evidence gleaned from the world famous prehistoric archaeological site at Star Carr in Yorkshire.
The house will be built by a team from the York Museums Trust and the University of York, and experts in ancient technology and archaeology. Construction techniques will be based on evidence from the archaeological site using techniques and materials, such as stone tools and plant materials which would have been used 11,000 years ago.
Professor Nicky Milner, Head of Archaeology, and Dr Jess Bates, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of York, are spearheading the project with experts Diederik Pomstra and Leo Wolterbeek and support from Dr Adam Parker, Curator of Archaeology at York Museums Trust.
Dr Adam Parker says: “Taking our lead from Star Carr, we are able to harness and harvest materials from the environment that will be similar to the components these people utilised all those years ago.
“Displays at the Yorkshire Museum will include the original implements and items left behind from the lives that unfolded there. 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.”
The build, expected to be complete by 11 August, accompanies the museum’s ‘Life After the Ice’ exhibitions, which tells the story of the site of Star Carr.
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.
