TREE-RING ANALYSIS OF TIMBERS FROM FALMER COURT BARN, FALMER, EAST SUSSEX
Author(s): Robert Howard, R R Laxton, Cliff Litton
Sampling and analysis by tree-ring dating of Falmer Court barn were commissioned by English Heritage. The purpose of this was to complement the Archaeological Interpretative survey and to provide additional information ahead of a major programme of timberwork repairs and re-thatching. The sampling request asked the Laboratory to concentrate on establishing a felling date and thus a possible construction sequence for what have been labelled phases B1 and B2. The laboratory was also asked to date the felling of timber used in phase E1 and, if possible, given the limited amount of timber available, a date for the felling of timbers used in phase C2. Thus, dendrochronological analysis was undertaken of samples from thirty-eight oak timbers at this site. This resulted in the production of one dated site chronology and one undated site sequence. The dated site chronology is composed of seventeen samples. Most of the dated samples are from phases B1 and B2, with one sample being from phase E1 and one sample from phase C2. The undated site sequence is made up exclusively of samples from phase E1. The dated site chronology has 112 rings, and spans the period AD 1386 to AD 1497. Interpretation of the sapwood on the samples suggests that there is only a vey short time gap, if any at all, between the felling of any of the timber represented. It is estimated that the felling of timber for phases B1 and B2 took place some time in the range AD 1505 - 1525. A second, undated, sequence was also created from eight samples of another distinct segment of the building labelled E1. This undated sequence has 84 rings. The objectives are thus met in part. Phases B1 and B2 are shown to be of a very similar date whilst the construction phase C1 appears to be represented by reused timber and thus the phase itself is not dated. Phase E1 is not dated either but it would appear to be different from that of B1 and B2.
- Report Number:
- 33/1998
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 24
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
