Work

Timber species identification and selection principles of wooden components in the Sunjialou Cultural Relic Building, Nanyang City

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: To support the scientific restoration and replacement of wooden components in the Sunjialou Cultural Relic Building (Nanyang City), optical microscopy was employed to identify the timber species of key structural elements, including columns, beams, purlins, rafters, and door/window assemblies. The results are as follows: (1) The identified timbers represent 4 families and 5 taxonomic groups: Larix sect. Multiseriales (Pinaceae), Pinus sect. Cembra (Pinaceae), Cunninghamia lanceolata (Taxodiaceae), Quercus sect. Cerris (Fagaceae), and Ulmus sect. Madocarpus (Ulmaceae). (2) The timber selection for the wooden components exhibits dual characteristics of "functional adaptation and regional resource dependence": High-strength hardwoods (Quercus sect. Cerris and Ulmus sect. Madocarpus) were utilized for core load-bearing components (columns and beams); decay-resistant softwoods (Larix sect. Multiseriales and Cunninghamia lanceolata) for secondary load-bearing components (purlins and rafters); and easily workable softwoods (Pinus sect. Cembra) for non-load-bearing/decorative components (doors and windows). Except for Larix sect. Multiseriales, which was sourced from the adjacent Qinling Mountains, the other four groups are native to or widely cultivated in Nanyang City or southwestern Henan Province, aligning with the principle of “local or near-source material utilization”. The research findings systematically reveal, for the first time, the material selection characteristics of Sunjialou’s Ming–Qing dynasty architecture, confirming the traditional construction wisdom of “function-oriented material selection”. Simultaneously, this study provides a scientific basis for the precise restoration and replacement of wooden components in the Sunjialou Cultural Relic Building (e.g., material selection for the replacement of decayed components) and serves as a representative case for research on the timber species database and traditional construction techniques of Ming–Qing ancient architecture in southwestern Henan Province.

Source: npj Heritage Science

DOI: 10.1038/s40494-026-02477-9