I built this thatched dome hut on a mountain ridge using completely primitive tools and materials. The frame was 2.5 m in diameter and 2 m tall. It was made from 8 thin saplings 2.75 m long, the thatching material was split palm fronds and vine was used for tying it all together. A stone hand ax was used to chop the saplings and a sharp stone flake was used to cut fronds. The pointed dome profile is half way between a spherical dome and a ti-pi. This shape sheds rain and funnels smoke effectively while still providing a large inner volume. A moat was dug around the hut to drain water away. As an afterthought I planted sweet potatoes and taro around the moat to hopefully provide some food later on.
primitivetechnology.wordpress.com 
How long did it take to build this one ?
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3 days. Thanks.
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How did you leave the cap on the top, since it was linked to a pole? Did you fix the cap to the rest of the hut in some way?
P.S.
Good job in doing what you’re doing!
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I tied a loop to the top of the cap, looped it just on the end of the pole (a knot in the wood would stop it sliding down the pole) then I pulled the pole out of the loop. The weight alone holds it in place but you could lash it down from the inside if you wanted. Thanks.
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Hi, this is Florian from Germany. The way you are doing your projects is very good.
May I ask, if I can write you a personal email? Can you give me your email address. I would like to talk to you about a project a small team in germany is currently working on.
Kind regards to Australia!
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Hi Florian. Tell me here if you like. Thanks.
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I would like to do so, but our project is not ready for publication jet I must say.
No chance for links and a private message that I can send you?
You could answer me directly to my email address I left here under details, if you wish.
I would really like to present it to you.
Kind regards.
Florian
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Hey John, bought your book. I’m thinking you need to perform your survival magic on another continent. You could make it a guessing game. Where’s Primitive Technology? Give clues through the environment, flora/fauna/geology, that sort of thing.
Note: I still think you should hook up with Codydon Reeder of Cody’s Lab. I think the two of you would get along famously.
Best,
dave
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Say John, I was hoping for more of the story of your experiment and adventures rather than a recipe recital of your videos…
I think your tale deserves a narrative treatment. Need help? My writing skills are materializing and I’d love to help.
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