A Roman Timber Framed Building Tradition

Recent excavations in the City of London have revealed many tons of waterlogged Roman timbers, both in situ and reused. One group of reused timbers is examined here. The timbers form a closely related collection which can be used to reconstruct a system of Roman timber framing. This system of timber framing is based on tangible features of the timbers themselves. For the first time, this enables us to reconstruct an example of a timber framed building from below ground to lower roof level. Much information can also be distilled about carpentry practice, logistics and woodland management and the status of this type of building system.