In Muotathal, Switzerland, due to the absence of reeds or straw, roofs have traditionally been covered with long wooden shingles. These shingles were laid on a flat roof structure and secured with long branches and stones. Occasionally, a few wooden nails were used, as metal nails were unaffordable for most residents until industrialisation. While most roofs have since been replaced with alternative materials, new houses still feature very low-pitched roofs, serving as a reminder of the village’s economic history.
