Castell Henllys, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Castell Henllys, a reconstructed Iron Age Celtic hill fort.  This exact location was excavated by archaeologists several years ago, and the replica structures were built on top of the existing foundations.  The gateway, which you see above, was reconstructed according to the posthole pattern in this wavy formation.

A fire is burning here, to demonstrate the theory that these rooftops did not contain holes in the top for smoke to escape.  They had first built thatch roofs with holes in the top in the reconstructions, and found that the fire was more difficult to control.  The roofs, built with reeds, are very breathable.  When you walk in, the smoke isn't bothersome at all.

Examples of the interior

I had to play a little!

Roger, the historian and site interpreter demonstrating a lathe.

The Wicker Man!  He's hiding in the granary.

Another view of the huts

The top of one of the doorways - you can see the hollow reeds used as thatch material.

Not a bad view.

Close up of the largest hut.  I liked it here...it was a cool setup, I think, to take an exisiting archaeological site and use it as the template for a reconstructed site, which really brings to life something that would be hard for most people to imagine.  The stone structures, the wall, the ditch and mound surrounding the hill fort, and other archaeological features that remain have been left intact.