Jamestown Settlement: Wattle and Daub

An ancient housing construction technique, used in the Jamestown settlement, is the technique called wattle and daub. This technique was used throughout history and around the world, where similar materials were available

19th_century_knowledge_indian_lore_wall_constructionIn Britain, there was a long standing tradition to build in this manner. In the days when people would have relied on the use of these hand hewn walls, a hazel and ash copse, or thicket, would have been maintained locally, and would have provided the necessary raw materials. The beauty of this process, woven walls coated with clay, sand, and straw, and sealed with whitewash, is that anyone can build safe, sturdy and clean dwellings using renewable materials. Naturally, when the settlers in Jamestown needed dwellings, they put this process to work.

A beautiful example of wattle and daub, though not from Jamestown.

Wattle and Daub

Following is a Youtube video showing the process.

Also click on the link to my Pinterest board which shows a couple of b/w cut-away views.

Follow Homeschool Journey’s board Mod1 – Colonization on Pinterest.

Image Credits
“Wattle and daub construction.jpg” by MrPanyGoff is to be found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AWattle_and_daub_construction.jpg, and is licensed under CC by 3.0

, , ,

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply