The Viking Longhouse at the Anceint Technology Centre
 
 
Posts ready to build the Viking Longhouse

July 2007 - The posts for constructing the Viking Longhouse have been treated by fire to preserve them from rotting in the ground
 
 
 
Viking recruits The Viking Longhouse - June 2008
July 2008 - Vikings at the Ancient Technology Centre recruiting with the Viking Longhouse in the background July 2008 - The Viking Longhouse skeleton is in place awaiting the construction of the roof and walls
   
Half model of the Viking Longhouse Half model showing the roofing and shingles
July 2008 - Half model of the Viking Longhouse structure July 2008 - Half model showing the roofing and shingles
   
Viking Longhouse Timbers Viking Longhouse with Walls and Roof
July 2008 - The old "Apple Store" can be seen through the Viking Longhouse skeleton timbers June 2009 - Viewed from a similar angle to the photograph to the left, the old "Apple Store" is now hidden from view
   
The Viking Longhouse nears completion - June 2009 Decoration round the Door on the North side
June 2009 - The Viking Longhouse nears completion June 2009 - Decoration round the door on the north side
   
July 2009 - Decoration on the south side of the Longhouse July 2009 - Decoration round the door on the north side
July 2009 - Decoration on the south side of the Longhouse July 2009 - Decoration round the door on the north side
   
25th July 2009 - Viking Shield Wall with the Longhouse behind 25th July 2009 - Vikings assemble by the west door of the Longhouse
25th July 2009 - Viking Shield Wall by the Longhouse Vikings assemble by the west door of the Longhouse
   
The Viking Longhouse was completed on 14th May 2010 The Viking Longhouse on 3rd August 2010
The Viking Longhouse was completed on 14th May 2010 ... ... and these photographs taken on 3rd August 2010
   
The Viking Longhouse at the Ancient Technology Centre (ATC) Logs for the wood burning Rayburn are stored under the eves
The Viking Longhouse combines ancient and current technology with hot water and cooking provided by a Rayburn

The Rayburn is however wood burning and the overhanging

eves provide the ideal storage for the supply of logs
   
Inside the completed Viking Longhouse The Longhouse during the Open Weekend 2010
Entering the Longhouse takes the visitor back in time to the Viking era and provides residential facilities for the ATC

The Longhouse facilities played an important role during the

Open Weekend on 31st July and 1st August 2010
   
 
   

Volunteers have contributed more than 12,000 hours to construct the Viking Longhouse out of natural materials that include oak, sweet chestnut, hazel, ash, willow, larch, clay, chalk, earth, dung, horse hair, milk and iron.  The roof is constructed of some 25,000 hand crafted chestnut shingles covering 320 square metres of larch boarding.  Inside the Longhouse runes decorate the timbers and honour the donors who funded the project.  The Longhouse provides a residential facility for the Ancient Technology Centre enabling visiting pupils to experience life as it was a millennium ago, enjoying meals cooked in cauldrons over an open fire and listening to tales from the Dark Ages or making music before falling asleep on soft sheepskins in the glow of the fire.  They will also learn how to look after livestock and tend crops.  This 24 meter long structure, with its curved walls and roofline, is based on evidence from Danish garrisons.