The role of practical geometry in the design and construction process in Portugese ships in the period of interest cannot be overstated. Whether it is in the longitudinal skeleton, or the frame design, in the control of overall frame variation in the central body of the ship, or in the overlaps of individual frame pieces, and their pre-cut bevels, geometry was paramount, and will leave its traces. The overall proportions of ships are perhaps more individual, and even within a type, more transient as developments and changing requirements arise. There is little doubt that the more literate proponents of ship design at the end of the sixteenth century sought to rationalise proportions, but whether the result of any influence they may have had can be found archaeologically is doubtful. Lerez, translated erroneously as larch, if it was used in Portugal at all, has yet to be identified, but the archives offer no clues.
Portuguese tradition emphasises the cork oak as the key material for the ships for the discoveries.
It undoubtedly did feature strongly, but perhaps not as exclusively as suggested. It creates problems of its own, and invites comparison with European oak. Almost the most interesting point of all is that cork oak, and holm oak, both forest trees, are systematically pruned in Iberia, for a variety of reasons. There is some evidence that this is an ancient practice, albeit the economic reasons have changed. How this may relate to a wider European practice of training and pruning oaks specifically for shipbuilding purposes will be discussed briefly.