Final answer:
Corbel Table architecture is characterized by the corbel arch, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and the alternation of piers and columns, often leading up to the more advanced vaulting systems of the Gothic era.
Step-by-step explanation:
Corbel Table architecture exhibits several unique features. One such feature is the corbel arch, which is a method of construction where successive courses of stone or brick are cantilevered from the springline of walls toward the center until they meet at the apex, often capped with a flat stone. This technique, which was notable in Mycenaean engineering, creates supportive archways that help redistribute the weight above doorways or other openings, significantly contributing to the evolution of larger and more complex building forms.
Other noteworthy aspects of this style include the distinctive pointed arches and ribbed vaults, which permitted higher ceiling structures and were precursors to the Gothic style. Additionally, Romanesque architecture is noted for alternating between piers and columns in buildings, with each pier typically being followed by a column, a characteristic found in numerous church and castle constructions.
It's also important to recognize that while corbel tables primarily served a structural support function, they also often provided a decorative element. The corbelled technique in architecture transitioned into the more developed vaulting systems of later periods, including the ribbed vaults and flying buttresses that are synonymous with the soaring spaces and large windows of Gothic cathedrals.