Can We Estimate Felling Intervals for Barrels without Sapwood

Oak barrels are a common find in excavations in the Netherlands. Despite the availability of numerous dendrochronological samples (staves) for each barrel, sapwood is often absent; this limits the usefulness of dendrochronology for the interpretation of the context because only the earliest possible felling date can be given. When there is no sapwood present on any staves, a close grouping of dates for the outermost rings suggests that this marks the transition from heartwood to sapwood (the heartwood–sapwood transition). If the presence of the heartwood–sapwood transition can be determined, a more accurate felling interval can be established. Historical sources on the production of staves refer to a consistent production, whereby the sapwood and as little heartwood as possible was removed. To determine whether dendrochronological dates consistently group near the heartwood–sapwood transition, an objective and repeatable methodology was used to avoid relying on personal estimates. The dendrochronological data shows evidence for a consistent stave production process. This does not apply to all cases. In some cases, the results are unconvincing, while evidence for the absence of consistent production was also found. This is not a universally applicable method, but it can provide accurate felling intervals for a number of barrels, despite the absence of sapwood

Archaeology · Dendrochronology · Felling · Geography · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Tree-ring climate responses · Forestry

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