(ORDO NEWS) — Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame) was the first Gothic cathedral built using iron rebar.
This became known only during the reconstruction after the fire in 2019.
During the work, the researchers gained access to previously hidden parts of the building. They studied 12 iron staples that fastened the stones in different parts.
The material was subjected to radiocarbon dating, as well as microscopic, chemical, and architectural analyzes. Staples were used in the earliest stages of construction in the 1160s, according to the study.
In the middle of the XII century, the cathedral was considered the tallest building in Paris – its height was 32 meters.
This has been achieved through architectural innovation. Experts have not fully established what role iron played in this.
“Iron was seen as a valid building material to create a new architectural form,” the scientists pointed out.
A fire broke out on scaffolding near Notre Dame on April 15, 2019. The fire quickly spread to the cathedral. The fire had a huge devastating effect on the iconic architectural structure of Paris.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.