New conception to the mediaeval building technology using uncut stones based on a rotunda reconstruction

Abstract

In this paper, the knowledge of the medieval building technology, which originated from the miniatures depicting building processes and from contemporary descriptions, is enhanced. This knowledge however is restricted entirely to picturing churches and fortifications constructed of cut and hewn stones. These miniatures only depict the building methods of the rich elite of the time. The available information therefore is biased. The early buildings and the simpler constructions, like village churches are often constructed from rough, uncut stones. The road to the discovery of this kind of building technology is via experimental method. This experimental reconstruction of a round church made of rough stones shed light on a number of details of the building technology of the time. These discoveries are e.g. the method of scaffolding and the technological role of the knee wall.