What was the roof shape of longhouses?

• A. Flat
• B. Round or triangular
• C. Dome
• D. Gabled

Answer: (B)

The roof of a longhouse is defined by a curved, arching profile rather than a flat or sharply pitched one. Builders bent flexible saplings into an arch that ran along the length of the building, then covered the frame with bark or thatch. This creates a rounded, arched roof shape across the width of the longhouse. In some regional styles or from certain viewpoints, the framing and end walls can give a semblance of a triangular silhouette, which is why a description of the roof as round or triangular can capture the variation seen in different builds. The important point is that longhouse roofs are not flat, domed, or gabled; they follow a curved, arched form.