The reconstructed buildings

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	There were about two or three groups of houses on the hill in early Anglo-Saxon times. Each group housed an extended family. One of these groups has been reconstructed, using the tools and techniques available to the Anglo-Saxon builders. Oak trees were split with wedges and shaped into planks and beams with an axe. To test out different ideas, every reconstruction is different. Most of the buildings are reconstructed on the sites of the originals, and they are based on the evidence found in the soil. Two types of Anglo-Saxon buildings were found here. Around 70 shallow pits, with post holes at either end, were found in groups. These smaller units we have called Houses. The other type of building was suggested by rectangles of post holes, with gaps for the doorways and a patch of burned sand showing a hearth. These larger structures we call Halls. Evidence for about seven of these buildings was found. The hall was the focal point for each family unit of about 6 or 7 houses, a place where villagers could gather for meetings and feasts.
	The sunken house (1976) shows the old idea of the Anglo-Saxons living in the pit, under a low thatched roof. It does not match the clues found here, so we do not think it is correct. Two houses burned down in Anglo-Saxon times, and their charred timber did not rot away like the rest of the wood used in the construction, and shows that wide oak planks were used as walls and floorboards; ash and hazel made the roof framework for the thatch. The rest of the buildings on the site follow this evidence, and have been reconstructed with a floor over the pit and side walls. The oldest house was built with the simplest technology in 1974, to test this basic idea of a living floor above the pit. The roof is supported by the six posts, not the walls, which simply act as a screen.
	The hall (2005) replaces an earlier version and is of a different construction, to reflect the difference in evidence. The walls, rather than central posts, support the weight of the roof and there is no pit below the floorboards.
	The Weaving House (1984) has been fitted out with looms as a weaving shed, as one of the burned houses contained the remains of several looms. Some of the houses, like this one, appear to have been used for working in, and others for living in.
	The Living House (1987) presents ideas about the furniture and layout of those basic houses used as family homes.
	The workshop (1991) was built to meet some present day needs. It has an oak framework with infill of wattle and clay. There is no direct evidence for it at West Stow, but it is based upon actual buildings from this period.
	The Farmer's House was destroyed by fire on 19 February 2005. Plans to rebuild it are underway. It was completed in 1998 and featured a wood-lined pit, found in only a couple of sites at West Stow. Later buildings from other sites (e.g. Ipswich), have evidence for cellars with external steps, under raised floors. The Farmer's House presented ideas for higher status homes.
	The craft building (1999) is not on an original site. It houses the forge and is used during special events for craft demonstrations.