Iron Age Roundhouse

The Ryedale landscape has been inhabited for thousands of years and our atmospheric roundhouse was reconstructed based on a typical Iron Age dwelling. These homes left their imprints on the ancient landscape of this region in the form of postholes.

These show that families or small communities lived together in groups. One family would have inhabited a single, circular room together, where they lived, cooked and slept – they might have felt cramped, of course, but they’d have certainly been close. Our roundhouse is located next to an area of wetland, which would have provided much-needed resources and may also have had ritual significance too.

It wouldn’t have been easy in the Iron Age, but our beautiful dwelling also stirs the imagination, conjuring an era of storytelling and family time. We think it’s sure to appeal to the history-lover, the creative thinker, and anyone in search of simpler times.

For the adopter, and with our thanks, you will receive...

An invitation to a drinks reception in 2024, if you have adopted the object by 30 April 2024 and a tour of the roundhouse with a member of the Museum team.