Peter Ginn is an archaeologist and historian who graduated from the Institute of Archaeology at University College London and has a particular interest in experimental archaeology. His research interests include Egyptology, field archaeology and primitive technologies, and he specialises in 19th-century farming practice. Peter is best known for his BBC TV appearances in series such as Tales from the Green Valley, Victorian Farm, Secrets of the Castle and A Tudor Feast at Christmas. Peter now lives in Somerset in an amazing Victorian property that he is renovating.

• Introduction 6Tools and materials 10FIRE 12Light a fire 16Cooking with fire 20Spit-roast meat 24Smoke fish 26How to make charcoal 28 The art of smithing 30Make a poker 32Mould with metal 34Cast a ring 36Working with copper 38How to hammer copper 39Fire as light 42Make a wax candle 44EARTH 46Working with clay 50Make a ring pot 52Build a bonfire kiln 54The history of the oven 56Build a bread oven 57Bake fish in clay 60Salt of the earth 62Extract salt over a fire 64The history of dyes 66How to extract plant dyes 68WOOD 70How to fell a tree 74Processing a felled tree 76Construct a wattle and daub house 78Carve a wooden spoon 82Make a pestle and mortar 84Weave a willow basket 86Make a loom and weave cloth 90Make music 94STONE 96Working with flint 100Knapp flint 101Light a fire with flint 106Sharpen tools 108Working with stone 112Dry stone walls 114Construct a dry stone wall 115WATER 118Manage water 123Purify water 125Tan leather 126Make neatsfoot oil 130Brew beer 132Make cider 136Distil perfume 138Make felt 140Catch fish 142Steam-powered toy boat 144Index 146

Select Guide Rating