ABSTRACT
Church floors differ greatly from those of secular buildings in two principal ways. First, in a secular building – whether public or private – a floor of unified construction and finish is the desired norm, at least within the confines of a single space. A dais or other special feature may provide the exception. This unified approach is, however, seldom found in medieval and later ecclesiastical buildings, where a variety of materials, finishes and levels is common. Secondly, a secular floor, once laid, tends to remain more-or-less undisturbed throughout its lifespan (or did, prior to the advent of modern under-floor services). By contrast, church floors have been constantly tampered with in response to natural wear and tear, changes in liturgical fashion, and the demands of indoor burial. Consequently, ecclesiastical floors can display a bewildering complexity and, in the majority of instances, their histories are only interpretable through systematic archaeological investigation.
