The Wattle and Daub House

Friends of Etowah Indian Mounds have tackled an enormous project this summer. Beginning in April, they undertook the construction of a 12' x 18' wattle and daub house using authentic materials and techniques.

Each Saturday, volunteers were on hand to add to the house. Over weeks and weeks the house steadily began to take shape and is now almost complete.

Wattle and daub is an ancient construction technique used commonly by Native Americans throughout the southeast. It begins with the placement of the vertical posts outlining the footprint of the structure. Between the posts saplings or river cane are woven horizontally to form the wattle. Once the cane is in place, the walls are covered with daub, a plaster-type substance made mostly from clay. Click here to learn more about this construction method.

At Etowah Indian mounds, volunteers have participated on Saturdays with every phase of the construction project. If you are interested in joining them, volunteer construction begins at 10:00am on Saturdays through August. Check out the photo gallery for more pictures of the construction.