Dendrochronological Analysis of Conifer Timbers from Danson House and Danson Stables, Bexley, Kent
Author(s): C Groves
An English Heritage funded research project is currently investigating the viability of dendrochronological analysis of conifer timbers imported into England. Limited success in previous studies led to the selection of Danson House and Stables, the timber elements of which were predominantly conifers, for inclusion in the project. These conifer timbers constitute a valuable data resource for the research project as well as having some potential to aid the archaeological understanding of the complex. Two tree-ring chronologies were produced. The first includes data from 24 timbers from the primary construction phase of Danson House and dates to the period AD 1489 - 1758. The second consists of four timbers associated with the raising of the bays in the house, and spans the period AD 1545 - 1767. The likely provenance for both of these groups of timbers is mainland Europe with the former probably originating in Belarus and the latter potentially coming from northern Poland or slightly further east. In addition the ring sequence from a single roofboard from the house was dated to AD 1494 - 1705, with a likely provenance in central-west Sweden/Norway. Unfortunately no tree-ring dating evidence could be provided for Danson Stables. The widespread lack of bark edge prevents the production of precise felling dates and although the tree-ring results produced for the Danson House timbers support the documentary evidence they cannot refine it. The successful production of two dated site chronologies, the dating of one other timber, and the identification of a number of different sources of timber emphasises the potential of the dendrochronological analysis of imported conifer timbers.
- Report Number:
- 69/2002
- Series:
- CfA Reports
- Pages:
- 45
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
