Informing conservation: towards 14C wiggle-matching of short tree-ring sequences from medieval buildings in England

Bayliss, A., Marshall, P., Tyers, C., Bronk Ramsey, C., Cook, G. , Freeman, S.P.H.T. and Griffiths, S. (2017) Informing conservation: towards 14C wiggle-matching of short tree-ring sequences from medieval buildings in England. Radiocarbon, 59(3), pp. 985-1007. (doi: 10.1017/RDC.2016.61)

[img]
Preview
Text
128373.pdf - Accepted Version

2MB

Abstract

This study tested whether accurate dating by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon wiggle-matching of short tree-ring series (~30 annual rings) in the Medieval period could be achieved. Scientific dating plays a central role in the conservation of historic buildings in England. Precise dating helps assess the significance of particular buildings or elements of their fabric, thus allowing us to make informed decisions about their repair and protection. Consequently, considerable weight, both financial and legal, can be attached to the precision and accuracy of this dating. Dendrochronology is the method of choice, but in a proportion of cases this is unable to provide calendar dates. Hence, we would like to be able to use 14C wiggle-matching to provide a comparable level of precision and reliability, particularly on shorter tree-ring sequences (~30 annual growth rings) that up until now would not routinely be sampled. We present the results of AMS wiggle-matching five oak tree-ring sequences, spanning the period covered by the vast majority of surviving Medieval buildings in England (about AD 1180–1540) when currently we have only decadal and bidecadal calibration data.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Selected Papers from the 2015 Radiocarbon Conference, Dakar, Senegal, 16–20 November 2015
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Cook, Professor Gordon and Freeman, Professor Stewart
Authors: Bayliss, A., Marshall, P., Tyers, C., Bronk Ramsey, C., Cook, G., Freeman, S.P.H.T., and Griffiths, S.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Radiocarbon
Publisher:University of Arizona
ISSN:0033-8222
ISSN (Online):1945-5755
Published Online:30 August 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 Cambridge University Press
First Published:First published in Radiocarbon 2016
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record