'Epic' Neolithic hall unveiled at Stonehenge

An "epic" replica of a 4,500-year-old Neolithic building has been unveiled at Stonehenge.

The £1m Kusuma Neolithic Hall has been constructed using historically authentic methods and locally sourced materials by 100 volunteers.

Its design is based on archaeological evidence from the nearby prehistoric settlement at Durrington Walls, with the hall opening to visitors in the summer before converting into a learning space in September.

Luke Winter, project lead, described the building as "epic" and said he researched local forests before starting.

Winter, who also works as an experimental archaeologist, added: "We know there were trees like oak, Scots pine, ash and hazel growing here at the time, but then I had to physically walk through local forests, choosing particular trees for particular tasks in the structure.

"I've built many things over the years, but this is the first building of this type - it's definitely epic."

Volunteer Sarah Davis used historically accurate tools and materials such as thatch and chalk daub to recreate the building techniques of the time.

"It's been the most fantastic experience. We would come in and something new would have happened. We started with very little experience and now we're skilled axe people and daubers."

"It feels like a huge piece of art," she added.

During visits, students will be given the opportunity to handle replica tools, try out Neolithic crafts and discover what everyday life was like 4,000 years ago.

Curator Win Scutt added that the £1m project was part of a wider education initiative, which will include a currently under-construction learning centre.

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