3 juin 2021
http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/licences/copyright/ , info:eu-repo/semantics/OpenAccess
Clothilde Azzi, « L’uso del legno di quercia nell’architettura romana: l’apporto delle fonti testuali latine », HAL-SHS : archéologie, ID : 10670/1.tr98x4
This research aims to investigate the different uses of oak wood in Roman architecture on the basis of descriptions made by Roman authors. In order to understand how Roman architects, carpenters and joiners chose a type of wood, we wanted to know to what extent the analysis of the characteristics of each oak species impacted the selection of building materials. Firstly, we selected all occurrences concerning the use of oak in Latin literature. Then, a specific database allowed us to classify our heterogeneous corpus by comparing the different information given by the authors. Finally, we also compared the uses described in the ancient sources with those observed on archaeological field, despite the limits of anatomical identification of oak taxa. The results of this study demonstrate the special status of the oak tree in Latin texts, and more particularly of the sessile and pedunculate oak, which are highly valued for their resistance, hardness and durability in a humid environment. These qualities make them particularly suitable for supporting heavy loads and ensuring the stability, strength and longevity of the structure as demonstrated by the numerous oakwood findings in underground and submerged foundations, floors or carpentry elements.