Visit to Butser Ancient Farm

Helen Jackson

It was a glorious spring morning when 26 members took the short drive up the A3 to Butser Ancient Farm, near Petersfield. Our hearts sank as 6 coach loads of school children arrived while we were gathering in the car park, but the staff had everything well under control. The site seemed to swallow the children and on the few occasions we came across them we were impressed by the activities provided and their obvious enjoyment.
As for us, we were delighted with our guide, David Freeman. As an experimental archaeologist he built most of the houses on the site and so could provide details about research evidence, materials, construction techniques and how the buildings have lasted over the years. He is a skilled communicator and kept us all absorbed for nearly 3 hours, from the beginners to the most knowledgeable of our group.
We began in the Mesolithic with a branch and grass ‘wigwam’ that would have been used as a temporary, perhaps seasonal, base. It took him 2 days to build. We then travelled through time visiting replica houses from the Neolithic, Iron Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon. Each house was based on a specific building from excavations in England or Wales. Those of us who are guides at Brading Roman Villa were particularly interested to see a hypocaust in action and talk to the volunteer slaves tending the fire.
A few buildings were more speculative. On Iron Age sites numerous post holes have indicated smaller rectangular structures that are often suggested to be granaries. David had created a granary and used it to store grain for a year, removing enough each day to hypothetically make bread for one family. He had also made other constructions – a hen house and a latrine. Even the boundary of the Iron Age village is part of an experiment, monitoring erosion and maintenance.There is much more to see – farm animals, vegetable plots, medicinal herbs. Whilst a guided tour such as we had is the best way to see everything, one can visit privately and explore; there is plenty of information available.
A highly successful day; many thanks to Ann Ticehurst for organising it.