Dendrochronology

Event ID 1161702

Category Scientific Dating

Type Dendrochronology

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1161702

NT 25727 73590 An assessment visit identified the remarkable five-storey timber frame within the bell tower of St Giles as being predominantly built with oak, probably medieval and therefore a key candidate for SESOD. Ten oak samples were taken from Levels 1 to 3 and nine samples were dated, eight of them matching each other to form site chronology STGMx8 spanning AD 1152–1459. Comparison with reference data proves STGMx8 to be native oak, a first for Edinburgh where Scandinavian imports dominate the tree-ring record, and providing the earliest dendro-date so far for any standing building in Edinburgh. A close statistical match with data from the roof of Randolph’s Hall at Darnaway Castle in Moray indicates the St Giles oaks came from NE Scotland and probably from the Forest of Darnaway. Felling dates of winters AD1453/54 and AD1459/60 are identified at Levels 1 and 2 respectively, where three samples had sub-bark surface intact. Timber STG04 from Level 1 matches Scandinavian sources and was felled in 1508. It was clearly a later insert, a vertical post wedged into place into the pre-existing Level 1 structure. Medieval tool marks and assembly marks are well preserved in the structure and small burn marks, identified as apotropaic (protection) marks, occur in several places on the timber frame. This rare survivor of a complex Scottish medieval timber structure would merit more intensive study and there may be further felling dates yet to be identified especially in the upper levels. Full details of the St Giles and other SESOD results will be given in the project publication. See also the SESOD overview (p6).

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Historic Environment Scotland

Coralie M Mills – Dendrochronicle

(Source: DES Volume 23)