Dendrochronology Research Paper

Dendrochronology and Archaeology
Field Methods
Dendrochronology measures and compares the width of and patterns of tree rings laid down annually beneath the bark of climatically sensitive tree species in order to create a chronology. Patterns of tree rings, reflective of annual and seasonal growth, are used to count back from a known date to assign a date to a sample (Heikkenen and Edwards 1983; Dean 1997; Kuniholm 2001; Chernykh 2011). Such a method offers precise dates tied to a calendar year (Dean 1997; Kuniholm 2001). Billamboz (1996), for example, used dendrochronology in the European Alps to date a Neolithic lake settlement to an exact year. Similar results have been seen in the American Southwest (Dean et al. 1978). Dendrochronology …show more content…
For one, counting tree rings does not always reliably establish age because some samples have or some environmental conditions result in false or absent ring (Fritts 1976). Heikkenen and Edwards (1983) discuss a number of additional limitations to dendrochronology. For instance, in dating structures, there might be several phases of construction and depending on sampling, one may unintentionally be dating only a single phase. Other limitations revolve around the question of what event one is actually dating. By using dendrochronology, one wishes to date when the wood is being put to use but, in reality, dendrochronology dates when the tree was cut down. Hopefully, these two events occur close to each other in time but that may not always be the case. Furthermore, to use dendrochronology, one must have the outermost layer of growth, preferably with the bark, reflecting the last year of growth to get a precise date beyond the terminus post quem date. Finally, dendrochronology relies on the assemblage of a regional chronology, without which, one cannot anchor the sample to a calendar year (Heikkenen and Edward 1983). Despite its role as an absolute dating method, because of such limitations, dendrochronology should be used in tandem with other

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