The topic rafter is discussed in the following articles:

building construction

  • TITLE: building construction
    SECTION: Primitive building: the Stone Age
    ...limited the use of sizable timbers to frames. These frames were usually rectangular in plan, with a central row of columns to support a ridgepole and matching rows of columns along the long walls; rafters were run from the ridgepole to the wall beams. The lateral stability of the frame was achieved by burying the columns deep in the ground; the ridgepole and rafters were then tied to the...