hello I'm new here - what would you do?

[Lime]

[the room tapers but at its widest edge is 4.1m. Currently in addition to the orginal looking beams that have been cut, there are extra 4x3 pieces spaced at 600mm intervals (mixing imperial and metric as we go) - these are not fixed to any wall plate - merely laid across the span. the ceiling downstairs appears to be held up with will power and woodchip paper - the plaster and lathe are attached to the cut beams

Sal

so thats the span at 4.1m the 'joists' that are doing anything are 4x3" (thats 4" heigh 3" wide...) spaced at 600mm intervals. as i said.

I'm having a problem believing that the original beams/joists are completely disconnected from the supporting walls.
I would like to know how large they are and what wood was used to make them.

 

[Sal]

I'm guessing oak - they are black, with that hand chipped style, aprox 4.5" square. I am no expert in old wood however. I do know that many period houses in this area have recycled wood.- the wood was brought from a local ship breakers. (that may or may not be the case in this house) this room is from the part of the house that is the oldest 350-400 years old.
I have yet to lift all the chipboard - so there might be some attached under there i guess, but from the ones we have exposed, they are either cut or beetle dust or both. I will see if i can take a decent picture tomorrow and then you will see for yourself that they are not attached.

Sal