Gothic cathedrals blend iron and stone
Using radiocarbon dating on metal found in Gothic cathedrals, an interdisciplinary team has shown, for the first time through absolute dating, that iron was used to reinforce stone from the construction phase. This study, the result of a collaboration between the Laboratoire archéomatériaux et prévision de l'altération (CNRS/CEA), the Laboratoire de mesure du carbone 14 (CNRS/CEA/IRD/IRSN/French ministry of Culture and Communication) and the team "Histoire des pouvoirs, savoirs et sociétés" of Université Paris 8, sheds new light on the technical skill and intentions of cathedral builders. It will be published in the January 2015 issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science. This innovative method could improve understanding of medieval buildings in Europe, such as the Sainte-Chapelle, as well as in Asia, such as the temples of Angkor.