That project is an 'epic' one that was intended to be worked on when you have sufficient population to devote at least 15-20 villagers to it. It's the largest project in the game.

Epic indeed, Lady I think it takes longer because there is no set pattern to it, like with building huts - collecting timber, then boulders, then timber etc. Sometimes they just wander around there looking. Meanwhile it's a great opportunity to achieve master builder status for novices who can spend most of their working lives on it.

15-20? When I normally start on the project I doubt that I have that many working villagers. It's only when I've got L3 farming do I feel safe expanding the population past about 15, and of course it takes several years for the kids to grow up. I realise that I still have to get two other L3 techs before I can start on clearing the floor, but the effects of any 'baby boom' won't start to be felt on the working population for a while longer. In addition, several of the female villagers will be out of action at least part of the time while they are nursing the new additions.

I usually have to split my workers between scientists and builders as gaining tech points is still important. Obviously, I'll also need farmers and a doctor or two. In all, 6-8 is usually the maximum I can spare.

I never appoint doctors in the early stages of the game. When I have that few villagers, as soon as one reaches 14 I give them basic training in everything (including healing, but excluding parenting!). That means I can drag just about any villager to a sick villager and they will heal them without too much trouble. Doctors spend way too much time enjoying themselves for my liking and when everyone else is flat out working I just can't allow it Later on, when I have a lot of villagers, I can spare them to devote full-time to medicine.