Traditional building techniques: the metrological-chronological analysis of XVIth century yellow tuff masonries in Terra di Lavoro (Campania)

Starting from the metrological-chronological studies carried out in the last ten years on traditional building techniques used in Campania - concerning post-medieval walling of Neapolitan historical centre, those of d’Angiò and Aragon Age in Terra di Lavoro, and those of the late Middle Age in Amalfi Coast - this contribution aims to analyse the XVIth century Terra di Lavoro yellow tufa masonries, showing their structural aspects and the executive modalities for their setting up. Besides, one will illustrate the methodology used for their chronological definition - methodology borrowed from the archaeological field - based on the drawing up of specific inventories, with the support of the already achieved results. Indeed, in spite of the efforts made up to now, there is no systematic and scientifically based catalogue of the traditional solutions used by the Campania builders for the realization of walling, with great detriment for their conservation, especially with reference to the so called ‘minor building’, just for its non-identification. Particularly, the study, referring to the homogeneous constructive area of Terra di Lavoro, is based on the following phases: -examination of the printed sources concerning building materials (geo-morphological literature; local architectural practical treaties; contracts and price tariffs of military engineers corps, of civil engineer corps, of provincial and municipal administrations) and of archive sources (masonries masters guilds statutes; notarial acts for the construction of religious or noble buildings); realisation, through metric and photographic surveys, of drawings highlighting the constructive peculiarities of the masonries analysed; identification of the chrono-typological models identified; definition of chronological series of the structural solutions.