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Re-dating the English art-historical tree-ring chronologies

Nature volume 315, pages 317–319 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

Precisely dated oak (Quercus petraea Liebl. and Q. robur L. and their hybrids) tree-ring chronologies that show consistent cross-dating from Germany to England to Ireland1,2 have been labelled Type H3. In contrast, there have been difficulties in specifying the exact date ranges of some oak chronologies (termed Type A)3 constructed from art-historical timbers in England4,5 and the Netherlands6,7. It has been asserted that the oak planks and boards used in the English art-historical chronologies derived from England and Flanders3,8. The failure of these chronologies to date uniquely against Type H chronologies from the British Isles has led to suggestions that the timbers were imports, probably from the Baltic area1,9, views supported by historical evidence10,11. It has also been suggested that the dating procedure used for these chronologies has an element of circularity which could result in an erroneous placement of the chronologies going undetected12. Evidence is presented here which indicates that the art-historical chronologies have been incorrectly dated, that they represent imports into England and Flanders and that failure to take account of exotic origins has led to the use of unsuitable estimates for missing sapwood.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Palaeoecology Centre, Queen's University, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK

    M. G. L. Baillie & D. M. Brown

  2. Department of Archaeology and Prehistory, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK

    J. Hillam

  3. Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

    K. R. Briffa

Authors
  1. M. G. L. Baillie
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  2. J. Hillam
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  3. K. R. Briffa
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  4. D. M. Brown
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Baillie, M., Hillam, J., Briffa, K. et al. Re-dating the English art-historical tree-ring chronologies. Nature 315, 317–319 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/315317a0

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