Wood Used in Ancient Railway Station Building in Southern Brazil

Wood is a forest resource widely used in the construction tradition that dates to European colonization in southern Brazil. This study examined the wood from the architectural components of an ancient railway station, built in 1906, using the timber-frame ( enxaimel ) technique brought by German immigrants, which represents a part of the material culture reminiscent of the European colonization process. Through wood-anatomy analysis, three native taxa of the Atlantic Forest were identified ( Araucaria angustifolia, Aspidosperma sp., and Ocotea porosa ), all of which are currently threatened. In comparison with other studies on the region, a construction pattern was observed in colonial architecture, with low-density woods used in roof components and high-density woods in structural-support elements. In conclusion, knowledge about the cultural use of wood can elucidate historical aspects of biodiversity utilization and document the traditional knowledge that connects past and present cultures.