Vegetable Fiber (thatch or reed) was one of the earliest coverings used in gable roofing. The adoption of tiles in roofing was most likely motivated by the need to limit fires because of their fireproof properties. Archaeology has been able to document the use of clay, baked or glazed tiles, wood, slate, as well as stone or metal. The tiles are generally laid lengthwise and superimposed in the direction of the slope, although they can be matched to produce various geometric patterns. Most often nailed or hooked - as we can see in this example from the city of Nancy - in the case of steeply sloped roofs, they can also be fastened with screws.
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