Revealing the Innovations in Late Medieval Roof Structures of Finland

Abstract In Scandinavia and Finland, nearly all constructions, including monumental sacral architecture, used only timber until the 11th century. remained dominant construction material 19th Due to many fires, wars, other catastrophic events, number of still-standing wooden buildings constructions erected before industrialization is very limited. Medieval can be found in archaeological excavations, last remaining medieval load-bearing structures are preserved stone churches. While roof have been widely researched elsewhere Europe, a comprehensive understanding Finland largely lacking. This article presents an ongoing study Finnish churches, focusing on two Pernaja Hammarland, which provide evidence transition from tie beam trusses without beam. We examine typology trusses, present new results based comparison churches dendrochronological analyses. Finally, we discuss possible explanations for structural innovations emergence truss wider cultural context.