Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers from Warleigh House, Tamerton Foliot, Bickleigh, South Hams, near Plymouth, Devon
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cliff Litton, Cathy Tyers
Analysis of samples from 67 oak timbers from Warleigh House (62 of which were measured) produced two dated site chronologies. The first site chronology, TMFASQ01 comprising 41 samples and 173 rings long, spans AD 1367 – 1539. The second site chronology, TMFASQ02, comprises five samples, its 104 rings spanning AD 1671 – 1774. Interpretation of the sapwood would indicate that the majority of dated timbers were felled in the mid- to third quarter of the sixteenth century and represent those used in the primary construction phase of the present building. Other oak timbers were felled in AD 1774. These later timbers could be part of a late-eighteenth century remodeling of the house, but they may simply represent roof repairs. Samples from 21 pine timbers were also analysed. From these samples two dated site chronologies were created. The first, TMFASQ05, comprising eight samples and 137 rings long, spans AD 1670 – 1806. The second pine site chronology, TMFASQ06, of 217 rings, spans AD 1543 – 1759. Between them they appear to represent early-nineteenth century refashioning.
- Report Number:
- 38/2006
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 52
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
