Building an Iron Age Roundhouse: Perimeter Walls | Bushcraft Shelter (PART 5)

We continue the bushcraft iron age roundhouse build. This episode is focusing on building the perimeter walls of the celtic bushcraft shelter. We used an ancient building technique for the walls known as "wattle". Despite being a traditional craft that is hundreds of years old, it is still practised in Britain to this day. We used hazel sticks woven into each other to make the fence panels. This Celtic roundhouse is inspired by ancient celts who occupied Britain over 1,500 years ago. In the south of Britain they used this wattle technique along with a "daub" mix of clay, straw and animal dung. At the end of the episode we cook fresh organic vegetables harvested from Mike's vegetable garden, along with a whole chicken roasted in a dutch oven. Thank you for watching the episode, and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss part 6 where we begin to clay the walls!
FULL CELTIC ROUNDHOUSE SERIES: • CELTIC ROUNDHOUSE
Dustin's Channel: / bushcraftfires
Our other ANCIENT SHELTER BUILDS: • Bushcraft Shelters Ins...
TA OUTDOORS MERCHANDISE: taofficial.com
TA OUTDOORS BUSHCRAFT & CAMPING GEAR SHOP: www.taoutdoors.com/shop/
My Bushcraft, Survival and Filming Gear (Amazon): www.amazon.com/shop/taoutdoors
These are amazon affiliate links
INSTAGRAM: / taoutdoorofficial
FACEBOOK: / totallyawesomeoutdoors
TWITTER: / outdoorsta
#building #ironage #roundhouse #bushcraft

[@TAOutdoors]

For those who heard about my head injury from my instagram: instagram.com/taoutdoorofficial/ I will update you all on it soon! Thank you all for the well wishes. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this episode, and don't miss a roundhouse episode by following the series here: kzbin.info/aero/PLxnadpeGdTxC1z7ODd-UYXvzdal9nnt9i

[@ginawhisnant9966]

Holy Moly- I might have to do Instgram to see what happened. Be well.

[@andrewpetro3474]

Awesome vid dude. Really inspiring!

[@Dave_0993_I]

Your head looks rather nasty. I hope you're alright. I love that bearded hatchet - I might have to make me one of those.

[@LUCKYB.]

Dont forget to have about a ton of Cow or OX manuer to mix with the mud to pack your walls it lasts longer works for better insulation . And helps keep you awake in them cold winter nights from freezing to Death ..

[@LUCKYB.]

Hope your doing better after you tried to give yourself brain damage .. Lissen close dont upset the little Lady .. they have impecable Aim when they are mad 👍

[@andrewsimpson4685]

Hey guys, love your work! Re smokiness in the roundhouse, apparently the smoke sits in the roof void above 6 feet and acts as a fire retardant. Any sparks from the fire go up into the void and are extinguished by the lack of oxygen. If you put a hole in the roof, the void will become oxygen rich and a spark is then more likely to ignite the roof materials. So they reckon the Celts lived with the smokiness, which also served to repel insects and vermin from the thatch.

[@rwhelanable]

I reckon they were people of a generally gray cast . . .

[@zzzires5045]

i mean if its above head height the smoke isnt a issue to us really, however it would have been amazing for drying herbs and storing meats for a short period

[@RatdogDRB]

It should also help to repel the insects.

[@loicbazin1053]

As well if there is an opening in the roof previous reconstructions have shown that there is a large draft which could burn the house down

[@kimifur]

When I visited Japan I went to the Hida Folk Village. There, they have a collection of genuine historic houses from rural Japan. A common theme among them was a very high roofline, thatched roofs, and no void. They explained to us that the smoke from the fire was actually essential to preserve the roof, dry the thatch, and prevent insects. As a result, they had to keep a fire constantly burning throughout the day.

[@andrewsargent3256]

Hi Mike, just thought I'd mention that if you want to keep it authentic, you shouldn't have any form of chimney in the roundhouse. Years ago, the guys at Flag Fen in Peterborough tried to recreate a Bronze Age roundhouse. They knew from excavations, that firepits were found inside the building. On their first attempt at recreating this, and putting a vent in the top of the roof to release the smoke, it acted like a huge flue. The result was that the roundhouse burnt down! In Scotland, at the Highland Heritage folk park, they have recreated Scottish Blackhouses. These are made in a similar way, and they have firepits inside. They found that the smoke when the fire is lit, keeps vermin, insects and birds from infiltrating the thatch. The smoke dissipates through the thatch any way. I have spent weekends away living like this in these types of structures, and you really don't need or want to put any form of chimney or vent in the roof. Hope this helps - cheers.

[@andrewsargent3256]

Yep, they discussed this on a recent video about the fires that they lit in the roundhouses at Castell Henllys in Pembrokeshire. In fact, the folks at Castell Henllys or Butser ancient farm are the people Mike needs to speak to. ;)

[@0623kaboom]

NEVER put a smoke hole in a THATCHED roof ... it tends to burn the whole thing down with the draw ... this is why the roof is always more than double the height of the wall ... and the roof angel is about 45deg ... also pont the heads of the thatch down ... it allows water to run off faster and easier and does not allow it to gather in the stalks ... as most thatch is water reed and it grows the stalk from LEAVES .. and each leaf allows a spot for water to sit .. allowing the thatch to rot fast ... also the hairs on the thatch will also slow water run off when tops are up ... but speed it up when the tops are down ... . Time Team season 8 ep 8 ... where the military make a roundhouse about the same size as you have .. the expert mentions NOT to put a fire hole in the roof to avoid burning down your house

[@cleoharper1842]

So glad you guys are back building! Sorry you hurt your head Mike. BTW absence makes the heart grow fonder. Dustin is even more adorable than I remember. Kiss your dad for me!

[@KODArunner]

If wishes were horses and beggars would fly, I;d love to watch all of your videos 50 years ago, when I was young enough to follow along by doing a build of my own. May God continue to bless and keep all of you safe and healthy!

[@marcikrueger8437]

Thirty years ago I would have had my own piece of land and doing what you are doing. Now I watch you with great pleasure. Your videos bring me a feeling of peace in turbulent world. Thankyou for a bit of vicarious living

[@robcruz7700]

Hey Mike, Rob from NYC here. I must say , I love your garden brother, I really do. My fiancee and I hope to someday have one just like that to live and eat healthier. I've been following you since you started building structures and it's always been a pleasure and I'm always looking forward to your next video. Hope you, Your dad and Dustin's family are all keeping safe and healthy. God bless you all. ✌brother!!!!

[@PaleGhost69]

Could I make a request? Can you do any small projects that are wrapped up in one or two videos? I miss the days of the old bushcraft camp video style. Plus making an oven or something would be interesting and informative. I'd even accept an outhouse. It's just more satisfying to watch than the updates on the big projects and would fill in the gaps between them.

[@Jay-hm4yy]

Or more add-ons to like a new super shelter...

[@clydegibbs1049]

Hope you are feeling well. Thank you for all of your videos. I have subscribed since the super shelter. You and your family, and friends have helped me a lot. I work 10 or 11 hours a day, 5 days a week. I gladly take care of my wife and daughter. I do all the cooking and cleaning. I thank God for all things in my life. I am not a saint, My wife took care of me and the two older children for 30 years. So I am happy to care for her ( she is bedridden for the last 3 years). She is my all after god, and I love her with everything that I am. So thanks again please keep up the excellent work that you do .

[@bigskyoffgrid8895]

I love chicken in the cast iron dutch oven!!! Yum!

[@robertlee8400]

I absolutely love Dustins ball cap , love all the food you guys cook & love all the great videos you guys make . Much love from your cousins over here in the United States . I hope you & your family’s are staying safe in these uncertain times .

[@Paravetje]

There's so much space in that house, that's gonna be so cool to stay in!

[@joeburns5814]

Love your videos and happy to see you guys and the dogs back to work! Each series is so relaxing to watch. I've always loved wood working. I used to build custom hardwood cabinets, kitchens, Murphy beds, entertainment centers etc. Recently started carving a walking stick for my my daughter and I from the trees I trimmed in our yard. Can't wait for the next video!

[@thehistoricalnerd5017]

Love the opening narration, really brings you into the video. Been a fan for some time now. Can't wait to see whats next.

[@K-FOREST_Original]

The house of 1500 years ago- It may seem simple at first glance, but in reality, it will take a lot of effort. ^O^

[@chuckd9007]

I agree. I could build a modern house of 2000sq.ft. with a 3 car garage faster than they can build a hut.

[@gloopgloopglorp]

@@chuckd9007 lmfao sure you could bud. Sure you could

[@diannaharrison5931]

Beautiful veggies!! Wow that head injury is awful looking. Hope you are coming along well. I just love watching you guys build all these ancient dwellings!! Fascinating. I am a 70 y/o former scout and beginner to intermediate bush crafter. Keep up the great job!!

[@573gwills3]

Great to see you back in the woods!

[@BraxxJuventa]

Thanks Mike and Dustin. 👍😁

[@SourcePortEntertainment]

Amazing build Mike! Love the project and the Celtic style fiddle music you added in there.

[@gamerkidz3967]

Agreed very cool project!

[@bushcraftnc8032]

You have the most beautiful work, you never half-do something, I respect that.

[@catherinecornick4560]

Love watching these episodes with you guys

[@bran756]

Realy like your vids guys,takes me back to the sixties when as boys,we made verry crude shelters in the woods with silver birch and furns interwoven to make shelters that we overnited in,no phones or laptops then,such great fun,fire at night,n candles,all the best.

[@grayghostadventures]

Excellent Job 👍👍👍

[@Lejackal]

That bearded hatchet is gorgeous!

[@oaks.at.sunrise]

Great the dog helps with early testing 😂❤

[@Mantreaus]

I second the same type of Cap on your roof. A smaller fire in center of round house, the heat and smoke will help keep the bugs and critters out of your Thatch, while also helping to preserve the Thatch for a longer period due to the smoke coating it. If you have the right Stones around maybe even build a stone oven-grill type fire pit to help keep fire smaller and generate longer lasting heat over night. Love these series, Thank You for taking the time to create them. Hope you and Family are doing well and I look forward to the next installment.

[@sosteve9113]

Greetings from a Belgian bushcrafter

[@jeanetteswalberg6166]

Every time you begin a new project it instantly becomes my favorite. I loved the hazel weaving tutorial. Those walls look so sturdy! Keep up the great work!

[@deepbyte7872]

That chicken seriously looks delicous!

[@justincase7661]

Always a pleasure 2C Dustin whipping up his famous culinary creations!!

[@Dadangandara]

Building an iron age, amazing video friend, thank for sharing

[@ivyjulieharvey3043]

through your videos I am learning how to build one for my family and myself. It maybe hardwork but it is enjoyable and love watching your videos and learning a new skill

[@warren519]

Awesome video. Can't beat outdoor cooking.

[@barbarabarnes674]

I am sorry to hear about your head injury. I love doing what you do, just can't do it anymore. I have watched everything that you have done either alone or with your dad or with Dustin. I have been here from the beginning.

[@michaelengland6216]

The Plains Indians of the USA and Canada, used Teepees for their lodges. The method that they used to keep the smoke going through the vents is simple. They would have two walls layers. The outer wall layer (attached to the outside of the lodge poles) had a small gap just above the ground, the inner wall layer (attached to the inside of the lodge poles), was on the ground level, and that layer buried in the dirt. The outer layer created the shelter and the inner layer only went up the sides of the walls about five feet. This extra wall, created a ventilation system that kept the interior of the teepee smoke free. I think that if you lined the interior of the round house with pelts, or even a canvas tarp and have a series of holes in the outer wall, and a vent in the roof, that should keep the smoke from accumulating in the lodge. Good luck and I have enjoyed watching your video.

[@johnwood7372]

Good job. You two get along just like brothers. Nice chicken. Have a day.

[@doozerakapuckfutin]

I am sooo enjoying this series ...

[@logangilliam1245]

I’ve been here since camp update 3! Keep up the great work!

[@dr.lexwinter8604]

I've never seen someone build pre-fab wattle and daub wall portions. I wonder how badly you impacted the structural integrity and insulative properties of the building that way? The very concept of a wattle and daub wall being round is that it is one constant woven surface daubed over, so no amount of time, or weather, will cause any shifting in any corners or hinges. The way you've made them will guarantee each panel will shift within the daub outer structure and break the daub apart. Any chance of a follow up every few years to see how fast they come apart?

[@omalleyshepherd2936]

MIKE! Just saw yer melon! Hope you get better soon, loved the build, you and Dustin are aces, cheers!

[@bfdcitybullsjosh6797]

Yea i like the history lesson intro. Keep doing them 👍

[@MiloKolb]

You got me into bushcraft, thank you

[@Galacseas]

I love this channel so much, the building, outdoor cooking and now the home grown vegetables, it's fantastic! And all while exuding such a calming feel. I truly appreciate all your hard work!

[@pamelachabak3027]

Your cooking looks divine. What a lovely garden. Round house looks great.

[@frankiecoutts4955]

Love what you do, you are such a good builder.

[@tritonbradford1688]

Back to the roots of our ancestor's...👍⚜

[@user-cg6yt5yh4t]

Nice Roundhouse Nice food 😄😚😁☺😝😗😜😃

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Looking forward to it

[@williamgreen9307]

Great videos love thime all you do a great job you and your dad keep em comeing thanks for makeing thim

[@000scubasteve]

Mike needs a shubbery for the new digs. Someone get Mike a shubbery!

[@nitehawk3869]

I always love it when Dustin cooks something up!!!

[@stephcrank]

Totally Awesome!! Love seeing the garden!

[@fin3590]

Gardening tip: plant carrots and onions in rows next to each other as the flies that like these veg don’t like the other So it protects them and you get a better crop

[@lorikettle2519]

Had to stop about 10 minutes in lads; just wanted to say it's looking great! Authentic with the gap between the wattle & daub and the thatched roof! Wicked job, I'm impressed!

[@ashleysanford8645]

LOL all I can hear is my dad in the background saying measure twice and cut once! In this case it would be measured twice and build once. But you guys stayed calm about it and didn't get mad. Which is good

[@adamrichmond175]

If you have ever seen the movie "Hot Tub Time Machine" where they spend the whole movie trying to see when/where the bellhop loses his arm, that's how I felt this whole episode. Every time I saw that hatchet swinging and that saw blade moving or them ducking those rafters. I knew something somewhere happened, I was waiting to see it. Glad you're ok though Mike. Love the content. Cheers.

[@BushcraftMood]

Pure bushcraft..thanks for sharing!

[@dusty2206]

U guys are so cool. So fun watching u build these houses!

[@NSYresearch]

Damn that chicken and veg looked great...

[@CrittendenIV]

You guys RULE!! Thanks so much for the inspiration and education!!!

[@laurelzitowitz5452]

Great video. Thanks. I've never seen Amber so relaxed!

[@CrankyBubushka]

Thanks for the video! Love your garden. Yummy veggies :)

[@MagicalMerry]

This is probably my favorite build next to the Viking House of yours so far! Really loving this series, and can't wait for the next video!!

[@chrisbarker270]

Looking good guys. Life is good!

[@batch6792]

Nice one Mike, Nice one Dustin. 😀👍

[@mstycrk]

Evolve from functionality to beautiful functionality. You've come a long way.

[@clinclin1240]

Killer stuff! You guys are really lucky to have access to that land.

[@inmyopinion6836]

Well done mates !

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Great video Guys 😝👍. The Roundhouse looks AWESOME 😊. And that cook up, looked DELICIOUS 😋

[@mrarrjoe]

I really do appreciate what you guys do and I thank you for sharing all your wonderful build videos and craft works. I've learned so much from you and Dustin and your dad that I look forward to every new video you all put out. Again thank you very much. Tony from northwest Indiana, USA.

[@katlouwen3152]

Love love love this build!

[@OmnivorousReader]

Fascinating! Thank you for making this.

[@TheCuriousCelt]

Not quite your typical English tea break, but definitely a winner... 😁 Loving this build guys, looking forward to the next episode. Hope your head wound heals up fast. Stay safe. 🌈. 🍀

[@Watcher1852]

GREAT VIDEO AGAIN GUYS THANKS FOOD LOOKS GREAT

[@craighiebert3384]

Love the canine helper...

[@joebiker8466]

Dang that Grub looked good!

[@omalleyshepherd2936]

YAAAASSSSS! Homemade champers, Dustin, you wizard!

[@johncambra9332]

This is always a joy to watch. Learning how people made there way in the old world. Your videos are much fun to watch. Thank you can’t wait for the rest of this build..

[@MedeniFilm]

Sve je iz prirode, sav materijal, sve... Volim ovakve projekte.

[@pauln2661]

@9:00 To make hurdle panels to fit your wall sections. Make a sleeper that fits between the framing posts, then auger holes for the hurdle uprights, add horizontal withes. using the framing posts as part of the hurdle uprights bore enough holes for a sturdy wall section and remember to keep the number of uprights an odd number.

[@jacklarson8395]

production quality has been going up and up each video

[@almadeckard8360]

That is some big bank line!

[@josecopland8531]

Excelente programa gracias ☺️

[@thenaturesvlogs3124]

Nice video love from Northeast Manipur India.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Mike .

[@arliss123]

Looking good so far guys!

[@samtimms4300]

I've missed this so much

[@bradh74]

One of the coolest builds I've seen.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

Wish i'd found this series when the roundhouse was complete. Look fwd to the next few video's.

[@TCK71]

Great video, enjoyed over a cuppa and feet up!

[@bpinkhof]

I am from Belgium and know we had also those Roudhouses and Belgian Celtic coints. So it is interesting to see how you are doing it. Some houses still have such roof but are not round anymore.

[@mikedelacruz3135]

🔥🔥🔥 episode Mike & Dustin ✊🏼🧐👊🏼😎🤙🏼! Its coming along Nicely, cant wait till the next episode. 🍻 Cheer’s from Central California

[@Shivaziv]

The part about the garden was the best, make more of those videos please explaining how to do it, how to plant, when and how many times to water and so on... very interesting and mostly important in these Coronavirus situation. And of course the chicken looks amazing! Great job guys as always.

[@choppertcp1045]

Man gettin it done. Nice! Just a big hello from Tennessee in the states!

[@erroleabrown4317]

You two have shown us that building a house can be a lot easier then we think. lm impressed by every build, l think that people should be allowed to have land it really wasn't ever owned by anyone, and then we could all build a house and put in a kitchen garden, your's is lovely by the way, stay safe be happy were possible, much love to you and your family.

[@runwithfester]

Nice work lads and nice silky saws

[@bountyboy624]

Great video it encourages me to go build something in the woods.🙂🙃

[@musingwithreba9667]

That meal looked amazing. Now I'm hungry! 😋

[@oaks.at.sunrise]

How cool it would be to harvest ones own broccoli 😮 20:45

[@angelinaklineburgess5286]

Really glad to see you guys again, house looks good, food looks great!