The Interpretation, Presentation and Use of Tree-Ring Dates

The science of dendrochronology has over the past decade advanced significantly, as the paper by Sarah Pearson in this volume clearly shows. However, there has not been an equal increase in the understanding of the general reader or user of tree-ring dating as to how to assess a date for validity of match, dating precision, and how this might be interpreted in dating a building or artefact. This paper outlines the process of dating, and attempts to highlight some of the problems associated with using tree-ring dates, setting forth a number of suggestions as to how these may be overcome. Examples of how precise felling dates may be reconciled with documentary dates have been summarised, to allow a more informed approach to the interpretation of felling dates; and the dendrochronological evidence for timber stockpiling is presented. Finally, the process of estimating missing sapwood rings is reviewed, and with the data generated over the past decade, new sapwood estimates are proposed which substantially reduce those previously used for the British Isles as a whole

Archaeology · Dendrochronology · Felling · Genealogy · Geography · Interpretation (philosophy · Presentation (obstetrics · Process (computing · Programming language · Tree (set theory · Archaeological Research and Protection · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Computer Science · History · Mathematics · Tree-ring climate responses · Forestry

• Dendrochronological Dating of the World Trade Center Ship, Lower Manhattan, New York City

  Dario Martin-Benito, Darío Martin‐Benito et al.•Tree-Ring Research•2014

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• A Review of Oak Dendrochronology in Eastern Europe

  Irena Sochová, Tomáš Kolář et al.•Tree-Ring Research•2021

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• Sapwood Rings Estimation for Pinus Sylvestris L. In Lithuania and Latvia

  Adomas Vitas, Māris Zunde•Tree-Ring Research•2019

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• Bayesian Approach to Sapwood Estimates and Felling Dates in Dendrochronology

  Open Access•Andrew R Millard, A Millard•Archaeometry•2002

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• Transport of Timber – A Matter of Ancient Concern

  Open Access•Konrad Mayer, Elisabeth Wächter et al.•International Journal of Wood…•2021

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• A replication study in dendrochronology—revisiting the panels of two portraits of Rembrandt

  Open Access•Marta Domínguez-Delmás•Humanities and Social Sciences…•2025

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• A novel multiproxy approach to detect the impact of charcoal production on the natural environment in NW Poland – project concept and preliminary results

  Open Access•Tomasz Ważny, Krzysztof Szewczyk et al.•Geographia Polonica•2022

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• Stable Isotope Tree-Ring Dates

  Neil J Loader, D Miles et al.•Vernacular Architecture•2021

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• Bayesian Interpretation of Tree-Ring Dates in Practice

  Cathy Tyers•Vernacular Architecture•2008

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• Stable Isotope Tree-Ring Dates

  Neil J Loader, D Miles et al.•Vernacular Architecture•2020

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• A Base Cruck Aisled Hall at Frobury Farmhouse, Kingsclere, Hampshire

  John Walker, John W Walker et al.•Vernacular Architecture•2016

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• Refinements in the Interpretation of Tree-ring Dates for Oak Building Timbers in England and Wales

  D H Miles, Dan Miles•Vernacular Architecture•2006

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• Tree-Ring Date Lists 2021

  N W Alcock, Cathy Tyers•Vernacular Architecture•2021

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• What do dendrochronology and other timber-dating methods tell us about the history of English post mills

  Open Access•Martin Bridge, Luke Bonwick et al.•Vernacular Architecture•2022

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• Rev Thomas Bayes

  Derek Hamilton, W Derek Hamilton et al.•Vernacular Architecture•2007

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• Tree-Ring Date Lists 2022

  N W Alcock, Cathy Tyers•Vernacular Architecture•2022

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• Tree-Ring Date Lists 2025

  Open Access•N W Alcock, Cathy Tyers•Vernacular Architecture•2025

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• Stable isotope tree-ring dates

  Open Access•Neil J Loader, Roderick J Bale et al.•Vernacular Architecture•2025

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• Tree-Ring Date Lists 2024

  Open Access•N W Alcock, Cathy Tyers•Vernacular Architecture•2024

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• Chronologies in wood and resin

  Open Access•Joanna Ostapkowicz, Christopher B Ramsey et al.•Journal of Archaeological Science•2012

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• Cities in the modern world

  Peter Davies, Greig Parker•Post-Medieval Archaeology•2016

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• Timber in Scottish buildings, 1450–1800

  Anne Crone, Coralie M Mills et al.•Proceedings of the Society of…•2013

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• Oaks, tree-rings and wooden cultural heritage

  Open Access•Kristof Haneca, Katarina Čufar et al.•Journal of Archaeological Science•2009

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• Tree-Ring Date Lists 2023

  N W Alcock•Vernacular Architecture•2023

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• Stable isotope tree-ring dates

  Open Access•Neil J Loader, D Davies et al.•Vernacular Architecture•2024

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• Stable Isotope Tree-Ring Dates

  Neil J Loader, Danny McCarroll et al.•Vernacular Architecture•2019

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• Tree-Rng Date Lists 2010

  N W Alcock•Vernacular Architecture•2010

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• Stable Isotope Tree-Ring Dates

  Neil J Loader, D Miles et al.•Vernacular Architecture•2022

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• Tree-Ring Date Lists 2020

  N W Alcock, Cathy Tyers•Vernacular Architecture•2020

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• Aberglasney

  C Stephen Briggs•Post-Medieval Archaeology•1999

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• An Early Common Tiebeam Roof

  Lynn T Courtenay, N W Alcock et al.•Medieval Archaeology•1998

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• AMS Dating of Potentially the Oldest Wooden Sculptures in Japan from a Shinto Shrine in Akita

  Open Access•Naoto Fukuyo, Yūsuke Yokoyama et al.•Radiocarbon•2019

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• Combined Techniques to Date the First Turkish Bridge Over the Tisza River, Hungary

  Open Access•Zsuzsanna Szántó, Róbert Kertész et al.•Radiocarbon•2007

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• Interpreting Radiocarbon Dates Using Evidence from Tree Rings

  Open Access•Alex Bayli, Ian Tyers•Radiocarbon•2004

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• Ring‐Width Dendrochronology, Isotopic Dendrochronology and Radiocarbon Dating of Timbers From the Spire Scaffold of Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire, England

  Open Access•Kutsi D Akcicek, Kutsi Akcicek et al.•Archaeometry•2026

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• Dendrochronological dating of wooden artifacts by measuring the tree rings using magnifying glass and photography-assisted method

  Open Access•Samuli Helama, Alar Läänelaid et al.•Archaeological and Anthropological…•2016

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• A slice through time

  Open Access•Stephen E Nash•Geoarchaeology•1998

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• Sapwood estimates in the interpretation of tree-ring dates

  Open Access•Malcolm K Hughes, Stephen J Milsom et al.•Journal of Archaeological Science•1981

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• An East Midlands master tree-ring chronology and its use for dating vernacular buildings

  Open Access•Ruth Morgan•Journal of Archaeological Science•1990

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• Edward III's Lodge at Odiham, Hampshire

  Edward Roberts, D H Miles•Medieval Archaeology•1995

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• Tree-Ring Dating and Archaeology

  John Philip Cropper, M G L Baillie•The Journal of Interdisciplinary…•1983

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