Dendrochronology

Date August 2021

Event ID 1144124

Category Scientific Dating

Type Dendrochronology

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1144124

NT 28742 70783 A programme of dendrochronological work was undertaken, in August 2021, at Craigmillar Castle.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) requested the dendrochronological assessment of a timber lintel recently removed from above a doorway of the Gilmour Range at Craigmillar Castle for safety reasons. The rationale was to check for dating potential in relation to the evolution of Craigmillar Castle, including a possibility of earlier timber elements being re-used as lintels, as well as being a possible opportunity to gather valuable tree-ring data more generally. It was thought possible this lintel would be re-used oak from the medieval castle, but it has proved not to be the case. In this case, an unusual hardwood species has been used to make the lintel from the timber of a young tree around 40 years of age when felled. The tapered shape of the lintel suggests it could have been inserted into the stonework after the original construction of the Gilmour Range and so it may be from a later phase than 1661. Keying on the underside indicates it was originally plastered. The assessment established that it would not be possible to obtain a dendro-date for this lintel because it has too few rings and is made from a species for which there is almost certainly no tree-ring reference data.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Historic Environment Scotland

Coralie Mills – Dendrochronicle for CFA Archaeology Ltd

(Source: DES Vol 22)