Call for Papers for Panel: Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Medieval Roofing Systems from Europe to the Christian East, IMC Leeds 2026, Due by 14 Sept. 2025

Call for Papers for Panel

Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Medieval Roofing Systems from Europe to the Christian East

INTERNATIONAL MEDIEVAL CONGRESS (IMC)

Leeds, 6-9 July 2026

Due by 14 September 2025

Sponsor: @ Archaeological Research Unit, UCY - Ερευνητική Μονάδα Αρχαιολογίας, ΠΚ of the Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου | University Of Cyprus

Organizers: Angelo Passuello and Michalis Olympios (Univ. of Cyprus)

One of the most important structural elements in the formulation of the architectural language of sacred space in the Middle Ages was the creation of varied roofing systems (wooden roofs, stone vaults, domes). It is the roofs that decisively conditioned the internal spatiality and assumed a primary importance also in formulating the external form of the churches, because the entire construction is based on the shape that the roof will have.

Roofing systems, therefore, have an enormous potential for the study of sacred spaces: if these structures are studied with an interdisciplinary approach they can be compared, contextualised and better understood

The aim of this session is to delve deeper into some case studies from Europe to the Christian East in a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating seamlessly elements of the history of architecture and restorations, archaeometry, archaeology, and art history. Although these methods are native to different disciplines, they constitute indispensable and complementary approaches for a holistic analysis of medieval roofing systems.

Potential topics include, but need not be limited to, the following:

  • The structure of roofing systems and the construction phases of individual buildings

  • Analysis of groups of buildings: contextualization and regional or international comparison of building ensembles

  • Dating and structural analysis of timber roof frameworks

  • Stereotomy and construction techniques of vaulted stone structures

  • Nineteenth- and twentieth century restoration campaigns

This session forms part of the activities of the CaMeRoofs (Cataloguing Medieval Roofs) project, coordinated by the University of Cyprus and funded by the European Commission under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions.

If you are interested in participating, please send an abstract of max. 200 words, 2-4 relevant index terms (https://www.imc.leeds.ac.uk/imc-index-terms/), a short bio with full affiliation details (department, institution, email address) to: passuello.angelo@ucy.ac.cy

Deadline: 14 September 2025

This is planned as a hybrid session. Please make sure to indicate whether you intend to participate in person or online