What's New I Sitemap I Bibliography I Vortigern Studies l POLLS I LINKS l Games I Sitemaster
Vortigern I Wansdyke I Arthurian Collection I View Guestbook I Sign Guestbook l Webrings

Fectio Index

We received an invitation to visit an Iron Age farm. That was a bit odd, since we are Romans, Late Romans even, and more used to towns, fortresses and more substantial structures. Frankly (no pun intended) we had never heard on an Iron Age farm project before. Our mistake. The Iron Age farm in Dongen is a truly remarkable project. Not just because it is a completely private project that's now in only the second 'full' season - they begun the project back in 1999 and they have been building non-stop since 2003. Not just because the spot is beautiful too, shielded from the town by a small wood, close but not too close to the main road, alongside a dirt track - secluded would be the right word. Maybe it's because the 'Iron Age farmers' who welcomed us on their property are such a nice, enthusiastic bunch of people. You don't always come across that.

Dongen and surrounding area.

Detailed image of the Iron Age Farm.

And the result is something to be very proud of. We were pleasantly surprised, anyway! After being welcomed and being show our 'quarters', we got to meet the people who live on the farm.

The farm and its buildings from the air ..

.. and on the ground.

Smoke rises from where the 'Family' is cooking lunch.

The smythy and it's artful roof.

Our humble quarters.

We had plenty of visitors.

A little hesitantly, after all it's not common for soldiers to visit a farm, and when they do it's not always a peaceful visit; plunder or taxes, please!

Chariovalda recruiting a young volunteer.

Valerius showing the use of a hasta.

"Fits like a glove!" The Deurne helmet is a big attraction.

But almost every kid wants to try on every helmet.

Chariovalda teaches about plumbata and their dangers.

It turned out we had a very good time. There were plenty of visitors, enough to keep us constantly busy explaining, showing material, dressing people up in Roman equipment, etc. We took tours walking across the settlement and talk to the friendly 'natives', whilst admiring the very nice building they had set up here over the past few years. Too bad the sun disappeared, but the weather remained dry. A very nice day.

Chariovalda dressed to go.

Everyone likes to wear the helmets.

The Iron Age owners.

Shall we go for a walk?

Hieronymus takes a bite.

The big farm. A beauty.

VortigernStudies is copyright © Robert Vermaat 1999-2007. All rights reserved