----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 9:42
AM
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] Oyster shell as a
building material
Thanks to Rachel for passing my request to
Kate.
Thought other list members might be interested in
the reply, especially Daniella.
Many thanks
Jill
Dear Jill,
This is a well known practice
designed to level up joints in ashlar
masonry in much the same way that
slate is used - the choice may reflect
seasonal avalibility of the oyster
shells, I suppose. The best
discussion of this is:
Salzman L F 1997
Building in England Down to 1540 (OUP) Chapter V, pp89
where the use of
oyster shells is explicitly discussed, together with
some documentary
references from the 13th and 16th centuries.
I hope this
helps!
Kate Giles, Dept Archaeology, U of
York.
-----Original Message-----
From: RL Parks
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 October 2004 15:00
To: [log in to unmask]Subject: Shells
as building material
Dear Kate,
You mentioned at the last
York seminar series, shells (I can't remember
which ones) being used in
construction in the Minster. A query has
recently been posted on the
zooarch mailing list which you may be able
to help with, and which may
interest you.
Rachel (fishlab)
Quoting Jill Hooper
<[log in to unmask]>:
> Does anyone have any reverences or ideas on the use
of oyster
shell used as a
> building material in medieval/tudor
times, i.e. pushed into
mortar to level
> up non uniform handmade
bricks.
>
> Many thanks
> Jill Hooper
