Exeter Cathedral, Exeter, Devon. Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers from the Roof of the Chapel of St John the Baptist
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cliff Litton
Core samples were obtained from the five available oak beams forming the roof of the Chapel of St John the Baptist at Exeter Cathedral, Devon. The analysis of this material produced a single site chronology, EXTCSQ09, comprising three samples, and having a combined overall length of 108 rings. This site chronology was dated as spanning the years AD 1698 to AD 1805. Interpretation of the sapwood would suggest that the three timbers represented were felled in the period AD 1806–27. Two other samples were dated individually. The felling date of one timber cannot be accurately determined because it is missing the heartwood/sapwood boundary. It is unlikely, however, to have been before AD 1248. The second individual has an estimated felling date in the range AD 1303–28. It is probable that the early-nineteenth century material represents the most recent re-roofing of the chapel, with some timbers felled especially for this work. Whilst it is possible that the two medieval timbers here are reused there is no direct evidence for this so it is possible that they are remnants of the original early-fourteenth century covering.
- Report Number:
- 62/2006
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 14
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
