The Origins of Cruck Construction—A New Clue

Abstract

IN a recent article entitled ‘Cruck construction: a survey of the problems’, J. T. Smith used distribution maps to show that the theory of a Germanic origin for the cruck cannot be maintained, and that the evidence of cruck distribution argues strongly for a Celtic origin.1 He concluded that the ‘progress from ridge-posts to crucks occurred during the first four centuries of the Christian era and perhaps earlier’ but had to admit that ‘no cruck construction has yet been recognized by excavation in Britain’.2 This paper presents details of a cruck building of late or sub-Roman date found at Latimer in Buckinghamshire, during excavations in the vicinity of the Romano-British villa.