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Reconstruction of a 6000-Year-Old House

Discovery and Initial Findings

• The remains of a house from 6000 years ago were excavated, revealing wooden posts and pieces. Scientists studied these remnants to reconstruct the likely appearance of the house.

• Dr. Gunther Schöbel and his assistant Karl Bernhard from the Pfahlbauten-Museum Unteruhldingen initiated the reconstruction using tools from that era, specifically stone tools typical of the Stone Age.

Tools and Techniques Used

• Various stone tools were replicated based on archaeological findings, including axes and knives made from stone, which were essential for construction during the Stone Age.

• The team enlisted three wood specialists to assist in selecting trees manually since measuring devices like rulers did not exist at that time. They needed numerous trees for building materials.

Tree Felling Process

• Trees were felled using a method where workers circled around the tree with their axes, cutting downwards rather than straight across as done today. This technique allowed roots to remain intact for new growth.

• All parts of the felled trees were utilized: trunks were split, branches removed, and leaves fed to goats, demonstrating resourcefulness akin to practices in prehistoric times.

Construction Preparation

• Specific tree trunks with forked branches were selected based on archaeological evidence indicating their necessity for constructing a Stone Age house. All materials had to be transported manually due to the absence of modern machinery.

• Once all materials were gathered, measurements began for laying out the foundation by marking corners with sticks and measuring distances accurately through steps taken on-site. This ensured proper alignment before digging commenced.

Foundation Laying Techniques

• Holes for corner posts were dug using primitive digging sticks; this was confirmed through archaeological discoveries showing similar tools used in ancient times. Posts had to be firmly set into place after being driven deep into prepared holes.

• Additional posts required different techniques for insertion; one involved attaching a rope to help leverage weight while another worker pushed down until each post was secured at an even height across all corners of the structure.

Final Assembly Steps

• After establishing 18 corner posts in alignment, horizontal beams would be placed atop them; special care was taken so that rounded logs wouldn’t roll off easily during assembly processes involving water-soaked bark strips used as binding material over time until they decomposed into strong cords suitable for construction purposes.

Construction Techniques of a Stone Age House

Building the Framework

• The construction process required multiple people to work simultaneously, as manual methods would have been time-consuming. The wooden elements of the house were bound together without any nails.

• A unique knot was invented by experienced carpenters to secure the upper beam onto a nest-like structure made from cord, which tightened itself under tension.

• Each connection between beams was secured with ropes and knots, ensuring stability as they adjusted the logs to fit properly on the pillars.

• The round logs were arranged closely together, minimizing gaps. A long rope was used to pull them tight and prevent slipping during assembly.

• This meticulous process involved repeatedly adjusting and tightening each log until they were firmly secured in place.

Flooring and Initial Structure

• Once the base was stable, flooring materials were laid down differently than those for the roof. The floorboards needed binding as well.

• By the end of day three, all flooring was completed. On day four, longer wall posts (Wandpfähle) were prepared for installation next to corner pillars.

• Due to their length, these posts required Frank to work from above; he had no water level but relied on visual alignment before driving them into the ground.

• After securing one wall post with an upward thrust, it became difficult to remove it again due to its firm placement.

Erecting Wall Posts

• Once all wall posts were erected, they supported ridge poles (Firstpfähle), which would eventually hold up the roof's peak.

• To ensure structural integrity against weight pushing walls apart, crossbeams (Querhölzer) were added at various points along each wall post.

Roof Construction

• Safety measures included using forked branches atop wall posts to prevent beams from rolling off if a binding failed.

• With all crossbeams in place, carpenters devised scaffolding for accessing higher areas safely while installing ridge beams.

Finalizing Structure

• Balancing heavy ridge beams into position required teamwork and skillful maneuvering akin to circus acts without safety nets.

• After successfully placing the ridge beam securely in its forks, further bindings ensured stability before proceeding with roofing tasks.

Completing Walls

• Following roof completion, thinner logs were inserted vertically between floor and roof supports for wall construction; this created spaces that would later be filled in.

• Burkhard introduced additional logs by alternating thick ends first followed by thin ends for even distribution across walls.

How to Build a Stone Age House

Constructing the Prügelwand (Stick Wall)

• The construction begins with laying sticks horizontally, ensuring they are tightly packed. Frank compresses them from one side while Burkhard pulls to minimize gaps between the sticks.

• Once multiple layers of sticks are stacked, they are further compressed from above to maintain minimal spacing. This structure is referred to as a "Prügelwand" or stick wall.

Building the Door Frame

• A door frame is essential for any house, including those from the Stone Age. The door frame is secured by hammering it into place at both ends and adjusting it until level using visual estimation rather than tools like a spirit level.

• The top beam, known as the "Türsturz," is placed between the two vertical door frames after careful adjustments to ensure proper alignment.

Exploring Alternative Wall Techniques

• Different wall construction techniques were explored by Dr. Schöbert and Mr. Bernhard alongside three carpenters, including a woven wall made from branches tied together for added strength and flexibility.

• The weaving process involves interlacing branches in an alternating pattern; this method proves challenging due to the rigidity of the materials but ultimately successful in creating a sturdy structure.

Utilizing Natural Resources

• Archaeological evidence supports various building methods used during this period, prompting experimentation with different techniques to determine which would be most durable: Prügelwand, woven walls with branches, or those made with willow twigs.

• Construction halts temporarily due to natural growth cycles; specifically waiting for reed grass nearby to reach sufficient height (1.8 meters) before harvesting it for roofing material using a stone-age knife for cutting purposes.

Roofing Techniques

• Reed grass is bundled together and transported back to the construction site on shoulders; these bundles will serve as roofing material once dried and prepared properly for use in covering roofs effectively against rainwater infiltration.

• Bundles of grass are attached tightly along roof beams starting from the bottom up, ensuring overlapping coverage that prevents water leakage into living spaces below—this technique mimics modern practices observed in similar structures worldwide today.

Preparing Clay for Construction

• In addition to wood and grass, clay is another vital resource needed for building houses; Burkhard breaks clay blocks found near glacial areas where good quality clay deposits exist before transporting them back for drying and hardening processes necessary in construction work later on.

Construction of a Stone Age House

Building with Clay

• The process begins with gathering clay, which is shaped into lumps that fit in two hands and placed into a basket for transport to the house.

• Once inside, the clay is pressed between the branches of a wattle wall, showcasing how it grips onto the twigs as it dries.

Wall Construction Techniques

• Evidence from actual Stone Age houses indicates that both wattle and daub techniques were used; walls were finished only after roofing to prevent rain damage.

• To address gaps in the structure, grass was laid down before applying floor clay, utilizing leftover materials from roofing.

Flooring Process

• The floor clay differs slightly from wall clay due to the inclusion of chalk; it is applied by hand and smoothed out, traditionally stamped with feet.

Completion of Construction