FROM IRON AGE TO MODERN AGE - EXPLORING THE STORY OF BLACKSMITHING AT BUTSER ANCIENT FARM

Discover blacksmithing through the ages and explore this incredible craft from its invention right up to the modern era as Butser Ancient Farm is taken over by over 50 blacksmiths this August.

From Friday 18^th to Sunday 20^th August the Farm’s Stone Age longhouses, Iron Age roundhouses, Roman Villa and Saxon halls will ring with the sound of hammer on anvil as beautiful iron creations are forged.

For this special event, Butser Ancient Farm are teaming up with the British Artist Blacksmiths Association (BABA). Craftsfolk from BABA will be demonstrating this ancient craft and sharing how it has developed from the Iron Age smiths of over 2000 years ago, to the modern craft it is today. Watch expert blacksmiths in action smelting, forging, and more, and listen to fascinating talks to discover how iron work has forged the world we live in today.

Free talks in the Roundhouse will explore both the history and future of Blacksmithing, and how to get started for those wanting to learn this ancient craft.

Shona Johnson, Chairperson of BABA said “Blacksmithing and iron work has shaped the world we live in today and Butser Ancient Farm is the perfect place to share this incredible story. BABA are very excited to be taking over the beautiful open air museum and sharing the way Iron work developed over time, as well as demonstrating the amazing talents of modern blacksmiths from around the country’

Rachel Bingham, Creative Developer at Butser Ancient Farm said “We’re very excited to be hosting such a large number of talented blacksmiths at the farm this summer. Butser Ancient Farm all began over 50 years ago as a site exploring life in the Iron Age, when blacksmithing first began, so it is very fitting to be continuing to explore and celebrate this incredible craft, not only looking at how it has developed over time but the beautiful artform it is today.’

All demonstrations and talks are included in normal admission prices to Butser Ancient Farm and there will also be the opportunity to join in with some hands on crafts for the whole family, meet newborn goat kids, take part in a childrens trail, see archaeological experiments in action and more.

For more details visit the event page on the Butser website. 

Notes to editors

Contact: Rachel Bingham, creative@butserancientfarm.co.uk, +44 (0)23 9259 8838

About: Butser Ancient Farm is a unique experimental archaeology site nestled into the rolling countryside of the South Downs National Park. For 50 years it has pioneered a hands-on practical approach to understanding life in the ancient past through experimentation and reconstruction.

Butser Ancient Farm welcomes thousands of visitors and education groups to the farm each year to explore its timeline of structures from the Stone Age, Iron Age, Bronze Age, Roman and Saxon periods, as well as discovering crops from pre-history and meeting rare-breed animals such as Manx Loaghtan sheep and English goats. More about the farm can be found at www.butserancientfarm.co.uk