The study of medieval roof coverings has received little attention in the past. The work of the late Gerald Dunning on a wide range of ceramic ornamental roof furniture (Appendix 1) and L. F. Salzman’s study of medieval roofs scattered throughout his monumental documentary survey of medieval building practices and materials (Salzman 1967, 100, 210-22, 233-35) remain outstanding. This paper examines the enormous potential of the documentary evidence for medieval ceramic coverings and fittings and the implications which it has for interpreting and understanding the archaeological evidence.
Documentary Evidence for Medieval Ceramic Roofing Materials and its Archaeological Implications: Some Thoughts
15 May 2025