The past informs the present, the present informs the past - Caroline Nicolay - BS120
Caroline Nicolay discusses natural building and archaeology. We explore ancient techniques like mineral pigments and casein paints, debunking stereotypes of primitive living. Caroline shares her experiential archaeology journey, transitioning from historical food research to pigments in prehistory.
We delve into ancient paint usage, lime in construction and making paint from natural materials like clay and minerals. The conversation touches on tempera paint, historical recipes using dairy products, and making paint from cheese curds and chalk powder. We discuss the durability of ancient paints and the importance of practicality in historical building practices.
The episode highlights modern innovations in clay plastering techniques and the speaker's journey into earth building. Caroline aims to connect archaeologists, open-air museums, and natural builders to showcase shared interests in sustainable practices.
Episode Links
- BOOK - Sally Coulthard - A Brief History of the Countryside in 100 Objects - https://tinyurl.com/bdh7rn2f
- Caroline's website - https://www.pariogallico.com/
- Clayfest - https://www.ebuki.co/events/clayfest-2024
- Tammy Hodekiss - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRPYS4LuKjg
- BOOK - The Natural Paint Book - https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/The_Natural_Paint_Book.html?id=rwkprjb5r3oC&redir_esc=y
- Casein paint recipe - https://naturalearthpaint.com/blogrecipe-natural-casein-paint/
- How to make Casein - https://www.ehow.com/how_8474158_make-casein-glue.html
- Becky Little - https://www.rebearth.co.uk/
- Becky Little Building Sustainability Podcast - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/mud-the-ultimate-building-material-becky-little/
- Daniel Postma - https://www.archaeobuild.com/en/
- Daniel Postma building Sustainability Podcast - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/historical-turf-construction-daniel-postma-/
- Scottish Crannog Centre - https://crannog.co.uk/
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Caroline Nicolay
Creator / director / main demonstrator at Pario Gallico
Born in Eastern France, it is after two Masters in Archeology and Heritage management & interpretation in France, that Caroline focused on the idea of living history and the newly recognised ''experiential archaeology'' being fantastic ways to get visitors who might not have an interest in archaeology to connect with this often complex and misunderstood science.
Passionate about traditional crafts and skills, from cooking to building techniques, she always loved studying and presenting the Iron Age (800 BC - 1st BC/1st AD). After working in various open-air museums and archaeological museums in France, on the German border and in England, she got the opportunity to offer her first Iron Age cooking demonstration at the Ancient Technology Centre, UK, in 2016... and never stopped! Pario Gallico (''gallic cauldron'' in ancient Gaul language) was created.
Thomas and Caroline met via a living history group, worked together on a Tudor working farm for 5 years while working aside as a self-employed blacksmith for Thomas and a cook in various kitchens for Caroline... and the rest is history. She likes to say that ''history repeating itself, the maid ended up with the blacksmith. As usual!''
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