Clifton Tower, Clifton, Near Penrith, Cumbria: Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers
Author(s): Robert Howard, Alison Arnold
In 2015 a previously unsampled but potentially historically significant main beam associated with the second floor floor-frame of the Clifton Hall Tower was sampled and analysed in conjunction with 17 samples originally analysed in 2002/3 in order to ascertain whether any more of these previously obtained samples could now be dated. The new sample was successfully dated and proved to be coeval with the previously dated joist associated with the first floor floor-frame. Interpretation of sapwood on these two samples indicates that these timbers have an estimated felling date range of AD 1539–64. It was not possible to date any additional samples from those originally analysed. Thus the dating evidence for the remaining samples is the same with five timbers from the roof being felled in, or about, AD 1740, a second floor ceiling timber having an estimated felling date range of AD 1576–1601, and two other roof timbers that could be associated with either of the sixteenth century fellings identified or could represent separate fellings. Finally another second floor ceiling beam was unlikely to have been felled before AD 1484 and again could be associated with the sixteenth century fellings but could also represent a separate potentially earlier felling.
- Report Number:
- 50/2015
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 38
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building