Middle Venton Farmhouse, Venton, Drewsteignton, Okehampton, Devon: Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard
Tree-ring analysis was undertaken on samples taken from timbers within this Dartmoor longhouse resulting in the construction and dating of two site sequences. Site sequence VNTNSQ01 contains six samples, five from the primary roof over the upper end of the longhouse and one from the ceiling of the inner room, and spans the period AD 1355–1506. Interpretation of the sapwood shows that these timbers were felled in AD 1507– 30. Site sequence VNTNSQ02 contains two samples, both from the ceiling of the hall,and spans the period AD 1500–1588, with both timbers being felled in AD 1598–1623. Dendrochronological analysis has shown that the primary roof over the hall was constructed from timber felled in the early-mid sixteenth century and that the floor in the western end of the longhouse appears to be of the same date. The ceiling of the hall contains timber felled somewhat later at the very end of the sixteenth century of first quarter of the seventeenth century indicating a phase of modification in the longhouse at this time. A third site sequence is undated.
- Report Number:
- 23/2011
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 42
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
