Yarde Farmhouse, Malborough, South Hams, Devon: Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard
A number of samples was taken from timbers of various areas at this property, resulting in the construction of five site sequences. One of these contains 22 samples, taken from the roofs of the North-South and South ranges and from the first- and second-floor joists of the South range, and was found to span the period AD 1432–1603. Interpretation of the sapwood suggests felling of the timbers represented within the range AD 1604–27. The North-South range was thought to date to the seventeenth century; this has now been supported by the tree-ring results which suggests construction of this part of the building occurred in the first quarter of this century. A quantity of reused timber had been identified within the roof and first-floor joists of the AD 1718 South range. This reused timber has now also been dated to the first quarter of the seventeenth century and is likely to have come from a building contemporary with the North-South range. At least one of the second-floor joists, previously thought to be primary, has been shown to be reused and of the same date as the rest of the timber. The other four site sequences, comprising a total of nine samples, are undated.
- Report Number:
- 103/2009
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 54
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
