Roof coverings are crucial elements in the architectural design of any building, from the most rudimentary to the most elaborate, because of the protection against weathering they offer to the buildings. Despite its important role, it remains many gaps or grey areas in our historical and technical knowledge of this stony materials used to make them. In north-western Europe, although roof tiles seem to have attracted the attention of researchers in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain, it must be said that slate did not benefit from the same interest. In Belgium as well roofing using slate has not been the subject of particular attention for periods r anging from the late medieval period to the 18th century. Situated at the crossroads of archaeology, archaeometry and history, this study aims to take stock of the use of this material in the southern part of the former Duchy of Brabant and more particularly in the Brussels Region. The available bibliography, archival sources and data from the geological analysis of samples from archaeological excavations will be mobilised to address several key questions: the goeographical origin of the roofing slates and, therefore, their transport – the Brussels Region is devoid of slate deposits and is dependent on import trade routes for its supply; the particular uses of slate (social groups, types of building); the question of the organisation of the slate roofers’ trade; the question of costs in relation to other raw material, tiles in particular; and finally, special attention will be paid to the various implementations observed in situ. This last approach will include a reflection on the diverted uses of this stony material in other types of structural work. In short, this contribution will seek to characterise the roofing slate in the history of construction in Brabant and Brussels and will resonate with a major ongoing research project dedicated to the evolution of the Brussels roof frames.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2023
