1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Rationale 2 1.3 Timber Architecture in Ancient Travancore 2 1.4 The Taccusastra 3 1.5 Case StudyThai Kottaram at Padmanabhapuram 3 1.5.1 The History of the Palace 4 1.5.2 Analysis of Architectural Components Constructional Influences 5 1.5.3 Deterioration Factors Affecting Thai Kottaram Environmental Influences 12 1.5.3.1 Exposure 12 1.5.3.2 Relative Humidity 13 1.5.3.3 Temperature 13 1.5.3.4 Climatic Index for the Region 14 1.5.3.5 Rainfall, Wind Velocity and Driving Rain Index 14 1.5.3.6 Solar Radiation 15 1.5.4 The Pattern of Decay of Timber Components 16 1.5.4.1 Component Decay in General due to Moisture 16 1.5.5 Traditional Preventive Conservation Measures as evidenced in Thai Kottaram 21 1.5.5.1 Traditional Dravyavigyan - (Material Knowledge in Taccusastra) 21 1.5.5.1.1 Material Used in Construction 21 1.5.5.1.2 Selection of Day for Tree Felling 23 1.5.5.1.3 Traditional Processing of Timber 23 1.5.5.2 Quality and Suitability of Design and Construction 24 1.5.5.3 Standard of Workmanship 24 1.5.5.4 Traditional Construction Techniques 25 1.5.5.5 Traditional Timber Preservation 29 1.5.5.6 The Traditional Tools and Wood Working 30 1.5.6 Comparative Analysis of the Treatise with Thai Kottaram 34 1.5.7 Traditional Concept of Jiirnnoddhaarana 34 1.6 The Conclusion 37 Appendix-I Canons of Traditional Timber Construction 39 Appendix-11 Features/Specifications of the Non-Destructive Testing Instruments Used in Measuring Moisture Content, Temperature and Relative Humidity 53 Appendix-111 Glossary of Traditional Terms 54 References 60