Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers from Wetheral Priory Gatehouse, Wetheral, Cumbria
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cliff Litton
Fourteen core samples were taken from roof timbers at this building. Of these three were found to be unsuitable for tree-ring dating. Analysis of the remaining 11 samples resulted in the construction of a single dated site sequence and one individually dated sample. Site sequence WPGASQ04 contains five samples and spans the period AD 1410-1511. Interpretation of the heartwood/sapwood boundary ring dates of these samples suggests a contemporary felling in AD 1512-36 for the five timbers represented. Sample WPG-A10 was dated individually to the period AD 1386-1449. Without the heartwood/sapwood boundary ring an estimated felling date cannot be calculated for this sample except to say that this would be AD 1465 at the earliest. A further site sequence, WPGASQ03, containing two samples is undated. Tree-ring analysis has shown this roof to be constructed primarily from timbers felled in AD 1512-36. However, there is an unconfirmed possibility that at least one timber of the late-fifteenth century has been incorporated into this roof.
- Report Number:
- 36/2004
- Series:
- CfA Reports
- Pages:
- 24
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
