Director Christine Shaw
A line of stake-holes or small post-holes invariably means a fence of some kind, whether actually interwoven with hazel or willow rods like the one on the enclosure bank, or as supports for hurdles. In fact, all over the site there are hundreds of metres of wattle fencing. This type of fence lasts for about seven years before it needs replacing. Conveniently, this is about the same length of time it takes for the hazel rods to grow to the right size. The sheer quantity of rods and stakes needed to make such fences argues that the Celtic farmer worked for many days in the winter in the woodlands, cutting stakes and rods and hauling them back to the farmstead. This is apart from the kindling and logs needed for the open fire, or any new timber needed for building repairs and new structures. The winter was not an idle time at all.
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Created 18 January 2002 - Updated 18 January 2002