Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers from Clothall Bury Farmhouse, Near Baldock, Clothall, Hertfordshire
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cliff Litton
Although Clothall Bury Farmhouse contains a large number of timbers, many of the oak beams had too few rings for satisfactory analysis. Other timbers were of elm which were not sampled. Thus from the available material only seven samples were obtained. Tree-ring analysis produced a single site chronology of four samples from a wall apparently constructed of reused timbers. This site chronology is 118 rings long and dated as spanning AD 1636 to AD 1753. The four dated samples probably represent three phases of felling. The earliest is probably represented by samples CLB-B05 and B06 these having an estimated felling date in the range AD 1727 - 52. It is possible that the two timbers represented were felled at slightly different times. The next phase is probably represented by samples CLB-B07. This sample retains complete sapwood, the last ring being dated to AD 1747. Given the overlap in the estimated felling date range it is possible that samples CLB-B05 and B06 were felled at this time too. The final phase of felling detected is represented by sample CLB-B03. This sample also retains complete sapwood, this last ring being dated to AD 1753.
- Report Number:
- 87/2003
- Series:
- CfA Reports
- Pages:
- 15
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
