Our Site
The Ancient Technology Centre has six full sized reconstructions of ancient buildings.
Each building represents a different time period.
We compare and contrast ancient building techniques using archaeological evidence available at the time of building. The vast majority of our materials are harvested locally by us. Each project will employ traditional construction methods.
Due to the nature of the site, some areas may be challenging to access, especially after dark or during wet weather. Access issues can include uneven and slippery pathways, often with puddles, leaves, animal dung, chalk and clay. These areas generally have minimal lighting to maintain the authenticity of the site. Edges of paths and steps are often poorly defined and with irregular drops. If you have any concerns regarding accessibility please call the site on 01725 517618.
If you have a concern over access please do call the centre. We do have an accessible toilet and disabled parking.
For guests who wish to stay overnight in one of our buildings or camping with your own tent, we have one shower in the male toilet block and one in the female toilet block.
Our Buildings
Earthouse
The archaeological evidence for this building comes from three excavations on the Isle of Man in the 1960’s.
Viking Longhouse
Our largest reconstruction, the inspiration of Luke Winter, has been the Viking Longhouse. See a tour of our Viking longhouse here.
Neolithic Log Cabin
Neolithic Log Cabin
Although this building could be mistaken as a settler’s cabin from the American West.
Iron Age Roundhouse
Neolithic Log Cabin
This building represents a “typical” Iron Age dwelling dated to around 200 AD.
Saxon Workshop
This building is based on evidence for Sunken Feature Buildings (SFB) dated to the Saxon period.
Roman Water Lifting Machine
The Museum Of London has kindly donated the famous Roman Water Lifting Machine reconstruction to us in 2011.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvgl3RFi1Fw
See how the Channel 4 'Time Team' recreated this amazing lifting machine after finding the remains of a water lifting machine at the bottom of a 5m well during excavations in London.