Baulks

Baulks is the plural of baulk, a term used in various technical contexts to denote strips or blocks of material left in place during work for structural, observational, or organizational purposes. The term is most widely used in archaeology and in timber framing.

In archaeology and trench work, a baulk is a wall of earth left between parallel trenches to separate them and to provide continuous exposure of stratigraphy. Baulks allow archaeologists to see the vertical relationship of layers and features without re-excavating. They are often planed or cut back as the trenches are expanded or as features are recorded, and their removal is carefully integrated into the excavation plan.

In timber framing and construction, a baulk is a thick, rectangular piece of timber used as a crosspiece, beam, or supporting member. Baulks may form part of a rough structural frame or act as a boundary or separation element in early construction or scaffolding. The size and orientation of baulks depend on design requirements and material availability.

The spelling variant balk is common in American English, with baulk serving as the preferred form in British English. In older or specialized texts, baulk may also refer to a barrier or ridge of earth.