5/7 West Street and 15/16 Stepcote Hill, Exeter, Devon: Tree-Ring Analysis of Oak Timbers
Author(s): Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cathy Tyers
Dendrochronological analysis was undertaken on cores from 37 of the 38 timbers sampled on the ground, first, and second floors, and in the roof of this group of properties. This analysis produced a single site chronology comprising samples from 34 timbers with an overall length of 158 rings, these rings dated as spanning the years AD 1282–1439. Interpretation of the sapwood on the 34 dated samples, representing timbers in 5 West Street, 15 Stepcote Hill, and 16 Stepcote Hill, indicates that all of them are contemporary. The presence of complete sapwood on two samples indicates that these two timbers were felled in AD1439, with it being highly likely that all the other dated timbers were cut at, or about, the same time as part of a single programme of work. None of the three samples obtained from 7 West Street could be dated.
- Report Number:
- 170/2020
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 50
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
