The Butser team have unveiled the fully completed reconstruction of an ancient Neolithic building – The Horton House – which the team have been hard at work on over the past year.
The new building is a reconstruction of the remains of one of the most important Neolithic stone age houses to be unearthed in the UK which was found at Horton in Berkshire in 2012 by Wessex Archaeology.
Members of staff from Wessex Archaeology enjoyed wellbeing days on site at Butser during the building of the house, learning ancient skills from Butser staff and volunteers such as thatching and wattling.
The unveiling coincided with the launch of Butser's new online platform, Butser Plus, that will allow users to enter an online world featuring professionally shot behind-the-scenes video content about life at this unique heritage site.
Simon Jay, Director of Butser Ancient Farm said:
“Over the past year we have become more and more convinced of the importance of places like Butser to provide a space of tranquillity and inspiration in an increasingly uncertain world. We have supporters from all walks of life and from countries all over the world who are keen to see Butser continue and I’m delighted that they will now be able to share some of the beauty of Butser wherever they are.”
The physical farm site is hoped will reopen to visitors and educational groups from mid-April.
Dr Matt Pope, Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Archaeology said:
“Butser Ancient Farm is known globally as a pioneering centre for experimental archaeological research and education.”
Chris Brayne, Wessex Archaeology CEO, said:
"We're delighted for our friends at Butser Ancient Farm in the opening of the completed Neolithic house. It's been a monumental effort and we are delighted to have played a role in the shaping and background archaeology of the house - as well as being able to offer our staff an opportunity to benefit from the peaceful environment to aid their wellbeing. We thank Butser for the opportunity and wish them well in their exciting new digital venture."
The work done in reconstructing the brand-new Horton House building, using prehistoric techniques and tools, will be showcased on Butser Plus in coming months, alongside other unique projects including thatching a Saxon house, building a Bronze Age roundhouse, laying mosaic floors, prehistoric art techniques and much more.
