Forge

Many sites around Britain have areas that have been identified with 'metal working'.
By the end of the iron-age the technology of forging iron was widespread, with many land-owners being able to repair iron tools themselves.

A forge is under construction at Butser, to enable us to make any items we need for the houses, and also to be used to teach basic black-smithing as part of the courses that take place on the farm.

The walls are being constructed from 'clunch' by the schools that visit the farm.
The frames that are used to control the dimensions of the wall, can be seen awaiting the next session

The walls will be a little over a metre high, with an open timber frame constructed on top of them. The roof will be covered with shingle tiles (thin sheets of wood split from logs) to act as protection from the weather.

The open sides and shingle roof will allow adequate ventilation, to get rid of fumes and heat when the forge is in use.