Building a Medieval Castle: A Unique Experiment in Experimental Archaeology

Guédelon, a quiet and peaceful building site in the woods of Yonne, France, is home to a remarkable project - building a medieval castle using only the techniques and tools of the 13th century. The year is 1229, and the purpose of this ambitious endeavor is to construct a prince's château fort, mirroring the methods and materials of the past. The project, led by Macyline Martin, managing director for Guédelon, has four main objectives. Firstly, it aims to practice experimental archaeology, testing theories based on historical documents of the time. Secondly, it provides jobs for the local community, which is predominantly poor and faces high unemployment rates. Thirdly, it attracts tourists, as the project relies heavily on visitor income to fund the site and compensate the workers. Lastly, it seeks to make experimental archaeology accessible to everyone, as history and architecture in France are still largely the domain of academics. The idea for this project emerged about five years ago, courtesy of Michel Guyot, who purchased and renovated the nearby castle of Saint-Fargeau. Beneath his castle were the original foundations of the 13th-century building, which inspired him to construct a château to the same plans. However, this proved too ambitious, so Jacques Moulin, managing director for the local historical monuments, drew up plans for a smaller castle that would still be challenging but realistic. After securing 600,000 Euros in funding, they began searching for a site that would provide all the necessary materials - stone, water, sand, wood, iron, and clay. They eventually found it at Guédelon. The only significant deviation from historical methods was the use of a mechanical earthmover early on to raise the castle floor. Archaeologists know that in the 13th century, this task was accomplished through backbreaking, laborious work. To do it by hand would have added ten years to the project, according to Franck, one of the site's guides. The quarry next to the beginnings of the east wall is where masons extract the ferruginous limestone to build the thick castle walls. They bore lines of holes into the rocks and then hammer metal wedges into them until the rock splits along the line. The resulting bricks are then hewn together with a mortar made of chalk, sand, and quicklime. Quicklime, made by heating limestone to 800°C, is produced off-site due to the poisonous gases involved in the process. Little wonder that 13th-century lime-burners had a life expectancy of only 25-30 years. The scientists and craftsmen alike are learning on the job, as they don't know exactly why or how things were done as the historical evidence suggests. One such discovery is the significance of the marks that masons carved into each finished stone. Initially thought to have superstitious meaning, experience and archaeological research reveal that these marks have three very practical uses: to establish how much each mason should contribute to the construction of the castle. In conclusion, the project at Guédelon is not only a fascinating experiment in experimental archaeology but also a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the team involved. By recreating a medieval castle using only the techniques and tools of the 13th century, they are not only preserving history but also providing jobs tourists, and making experimental archaeology accessible to everyone.