DENDROCHRONOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BOWHILL, EXETER, DEVON
Author(s): C Groves
Dendrochronological analysis was carried out on various in situ and ex situ timbers at Bowhill, intermittently over a period of 20years. This coincides with a major period of development in the application of dendrochronology to standing building and demonstrates the value of the sampling methods and strategies currently employed. The results from the structural timbers are somewhat disappointing, with only six samples combining to produce a tree-ring chronology spanning the period AD 1292-1468. The use of these dates in the understanding of the building is problematic as the provenance of the six timbers is uncertain and it is even possible that they came from an entirely different building. This clearly highlights the importance of ensuring that detailed records are made as timbers are removed and that some form of permanent labelling is used. The results from this assemblage of structural timbers also emphasise the problems of obtaining dates for locally derived timbers in buildings in Devon. Fifty four boards and six sub-ribs from the ceiling of the parlour matched and dated to produce a tree-ring chronology spanning the period AD 1161-1483. These were all probably felled and initially used in the late-fifteenth or early-sixteenth centuries. The oak boards and sub-ribs were derived from timbers imported from the Baltic region. These form the largest single-phase Baltic assemblage analysed from England and are also the most westerly group.
- Report Number:
- 23/2002
- Series:
- CfA Reports
- Pages:
- 83
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
