Elements for a cultural history of wood in southern France (Xth-XVIth centuries)

Résumé En

Up to now, the study of the role of wood in rural architecture from southern France, during the Middle Ages, has remained a marginal investigation subject, as stone has always been considered as omnipresent. Charcoal analysis of building remains allows us to prepare the ground for an history of wood during the Middle Ages. The spectrum of woods used in southern rural buildings is quite large as shown by taxa recognized: Castanea sativa, deciduous mediterranean Quercus, Fraxinus sp., Fagus sylvatica, Ulmus minor, Salix-Populus sp., Pinus type sylvestris, Abies alba. However, and according to our study, from the year 1000 until the beginning of modern times, only one species is mainly used, for building purposes, as a result of technical, economical, and biogeographical reasons – deciduous oak. The other species are used very occasionally, to answer specific needs, or as a result of their abundance and proximity. In fact, all species used were growing in the vicinity of the settlements: the use of timber from further afield has not been documented. Villagers, builders or other specialist workers adapt their needs to the local possibilities: they choose the most suitable woods for construction but also the cheapest ones. Certain observations of wood transverse sections and measurements of wood diameter prove that specimens have also been carefully chosen. Sometimes, wood management strategies seem to have been developed. Further charcoal analyses will hopefully support and enrich these first data and a better understanding of wood uses during the medieval period will be achieved.