Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers from 22 Allergate, Durham
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cliff Litton
Twenty samples were obtained from the roof timbers of number 22 Allergate, Durham, of which 14 were analysed by tree-ring dating. This analysis produced a single site chronology of two samples, this having a combined overall length of 99 rings. Neither this site chronology, or any of the 12 remaining single ungrouped samples, could be dated by comparison with any available reference chronology. It is possible that the climatic influences on the growth of the trees used in this roof have been disrupted by stressful local growing conditions, this being indicated by bands of narrow and slightly distorted growth rings. A further contributory factor to the difficulty in cross-matching and dating might be that a number of samples, though having at least the minimum of 54 rings necessary for reliable analysis, are close to this limit. Finally, while there was no direct evidence of this seen at the time of sampling, it is not impossible that some of the sampled timbers have been reused or replaced making them, in effect, singletons, which are often more difficult to cross-match and date.
- Report Number:
- 13/2004
- Series:
- CfA Reports
- Pages:
- 15
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
