Dating buildings and landscapes with tree-ring analysis: an introduction with case studies

Description

This book presents guidance, theory, methodologies, and case studies for analyzing tree rings to accurately date and interpret historic buildings and landscapes. Written by two long-time practitioners in the field of dendrochronology, the research is grounded in the fieldwork data of approximately 200 structures and landscapes. By scientifically analyzing the tree rings of historic timbers, preservationists can obtain valuable information about construction dates, interpret the evolution of landscapes and buildings over time, identify species and provenance, and gain insight into the species matrix of local forests. Authors Darrin L. Rubino and Christopher Baas demonstrate, through full-color illustrated case studies and methodologies, how this information can be used to interpret the history of buildings and landscapes and assist preservation decision-making. Over 1,000 samples obtained from more than 40 buildings, including high style houses, vernacular log houses, and timber frame barns, are reported. This book will be particularly relevant for students, instructors, and professional readers interested in historic preservation, cultural landscapes, museum studies, archaeology, and dendrochronology globally.  Read more... Abstract: This book presents guidance, theory, methodologies, and case studies for analyzing tree rings to accurately date and interpret historic buildings and landscapes. Written by two long-time practitioners in the field of dendrochronology, the research is grounded in the fieldwork data of approximately 200 structures and landscapes. By scientifically analyzing the tree rings of historic timbers, preservationists can obtain valuable information about construction dates, interpret the evolution of landscapes and buildings over time, identify species and provenance, and gain insight into the species matrix of local forests. Authors Darrin L. Rubino and Christopher Baas demonstrate, through full-color illustrated case studies and methodologies, how this information can be used to interpret the history of buildings and landscapes and assist preservation decision-making. Over 1,000 samples obtained from more than 40 buildings, including high style houses, vernacular log houses, and timber frame barns, are reported. This book will be particularly relevant for students, instructors, and professional readers interested in historic preservation, cultural landscapes, museum studies, archaeology, and dendrochronology globally Content: Cover Half Title Title Copyright Contents List of figures List of tables Acknowledgments Conventions 1 Can you date my building: an introduction to tree-ring analysis for dating buildings and landscapes 1.1 Introduction 1.2 An overview: can you date my building? 1.2.1 Buildings and landscapes 1.2.2 Understanding how trees grow 1.2.3 Basics of tree-ring science 1.2.4 Obtaining a construction date 1.2.5 Reporting findings 1.3 Who we are 1.4 Our goals 1.5 Literature cited 2 Understanding cultural landscapes and historic buildings: frameworks for interpreting and communicating tree-ring analysis2.1 Introduction 2.2 Cultural landscape studies 2.3 Defining cultural landscapes and the cultural hearth theoretical framework 2.4 Discourse materialized: a theoretical framework 2.5 Terms and definitions 2.6 Conclusion 2.7 Literature cited 3 Botany for the dendrochronologist 3.1 Introduction to botany 3.2 Anatomy and morphology of a woody stem 3.3 Wood words 3.3.1 Hardwoods and softwoods 3.3.2 Earlywood and latewood 3.3.3 Heartwood and sapwood 3.4 Wood identification3.5 Conclusion 3.6 Literature cited 4 Tree-ring basics for the historian, archaeologist, and preservationist 4.1 Introduction to dendrochronology 4.2 Variability in tree-ring width 4.3 Crossdating 4.4 Creating reference chronologies 4.5 Conclusion 4.6 Literature cited 5 Tree-ring analysis methods for the field, woodshop, and lab 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Field methods 5.2.1 Obtaining tree-ring samples 5.2.2 Timber type determination 5.3 Woodshop methods 5.4 Laboratory procedures 5.4.1 Microscopic timber type determination 5.4.2 Assigning years and crossdating5.4.2.1 Crossdating using skeleton plots 5.4.2.2 Crossdating with measured tree rings 5.5 Conclusion 5.6 Literature cited 6 Archival and scholarly sources for interpreting tree-ring analysis 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Sanborn maps 6.3 Atlases, plat maps, and landscape illustrations 6.4 Property deeds and titles 6.5 General Land Office survey (GLO) 6.6 Population census 6.7 Agricultural census 6.8 Newspapers 6.9 Probate records: wills and inventories 6.10 Letters, diaries, and journals 6.11 Oral histories 6.12 Directories 6.13 Photographic images 6.14 Historic aerial photographs6.15 Secondary sources 6.16 Conclusion 6.17 Literature cited 7 Reporting the results of tree-ring analysis 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Parts of a tree-ring analysis report 7.3 Data tables 7.3.1 Tree-ring sample table construction 7.3.2 Outer rings and assigning construction dates 7.3.3 Timbers without dates 7.3.4 Chronology summary table construction 7.4 Chronology and sample depth reporting 7.5 Field drawings 7.5.1 Field documentation of barns 7.5.2 Field documentation of houses, churches, and commercial buildings 7.6 Equipment for field documentation