The project is called Middle Ages in progress and it's a construction site experimental archaeology which rebuilds a house according to the ancient construction techniques from the medieval era.
Where? In the heart of the San Silvestro Archaeological Mining Park, or at the foot of the magical Fortress of San SilvestroA castle built around the year 1000 by the Counts of Gherardesca for the extraction and processing of metals.
The Rocca di San Silvestro in all its beauty
The project is carried out in collaboration between Coopera and the Val di Cornia Parks SpA within the scope of the “Program Operation in ITALIE-FRANCE Maritime 2007-2013, Objectif Coopération Territoriale Européenne”, Financial plan of the Accessit Project – Accessible Heritage Itinerary.
It began in 2010 with the reconstruction of an archaeological artefact brought to light during the excavations that the Department of Archaeology and History of Arts, University of Siena he played in Donoratico Castle (Castagneto Carducci – LI).
Donoratico Castle – Graphic Reconstruction by Studio Ink Link – Florence
It was a "concrete mixer” dating back to the end of the 9th century AD and its reconstruction has allowed us to understand its exact functioning and the potential for technological innovation within a construction site.
The mixer in operation
In fact, it allowed a notable saving of energy and manpower needed to mix the lime, one of the most tiring operations in a day's work. medieval bricklayer.
If you want to see a time-lapse video of how our "concrete mixer" works, click here.
The project has developed and work has begun on the construction of a house, following all the steps exactly as in the Middle AgesStone collection, lime preparation, scaffolding construction...
One of the project tables for the construction of the house
Masters and apprentices at work
An ideal school building site for those who want to learn about secrets of theart of building.
The construction site is now an integral part of the visitor routes of the Fortress of San Silvestro and the school of Experimental Archaeology reopens its doors on the occasion of the Educational Workshops of the Archaeological Mining Park.
If you want to know more about the project, here is a short article for you. report of our experience.
At the following link you can also find a video that tells the story projectThe first part talks about Populonia and the reconstruction of a portion of the base of a temple, and the second part focuses on our current Middle Ages.
