Courtyard Houses

Penwith has large outcrops of granite which provide a ready supply of building stone. Using stone an almost ageless material, has boosted the amount of ancient remains that still exist here today. The earliest constructions surviving were possibly made of stone because of their importance.

Later as the land became deforested and the supply of timber became short, even the houses were built of stone. Using stone rather than wood means that the remains are long lasting, and still a number of ancient sites still exist in this area.

Around 100 BC, home building techniques had moved on from the basic round huts to the construction of courtyard houses. These were more complex constructions which integrated not only the living quarters but also whatever provided their livelihood such as workshops and structures to keep their animals, all within one building. Courtyard houses are really only peculiar to Penwith.

To accommodate all their functions courtyard house had to be large, reaching over a hundred feet in length. They were massive structures constructed using very thick walls. Overall they were roughly circular in shape, and possessed a central open stone paved courtyard.

Plan Of A Courtyard House (Chysauster)

Leading off from the courtyard were rooms commonly round in shape. In such rooms have been found hollowed stones, signifying a timber pole supporting a turf or thatched roof. Another feature of some courtyard houses is a long stone paved entrance passage.

Associated with settlements of courtyard house are improvements in services including stone covered drainage systems and stone fire hearths.

Holed Stone For a Timber Pole

Stone Fire Hearth (Chysauster)

In Penwith there are several courtyard house sites. Some have survived relatively well preserved. There are two places to see fine examples of such houses, Chysauster and Carn Euny. Both of these sites are relatively easily accessed and have parking.

Courtyard House At Chysauster