Dendrochronology Database
Vernacular Architecture Group (VAG), 2000. (updated 2025) https://doi.org/10.5284/1132568. How to cite using this DOI
- Introduction
- Overview
- Query
- Downloads
- Metadata
- Usage Statistics
- Vernacular Architecture Group (VAG) Collections and Map
Data copyright © Vernacular Architecture Group (VAG) unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
Vernacular Architecture Group (VAG)
Vernacular Architecture Group
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 282
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1132568
- How to cite using this DOI
Overview
This database is an index of tree-ring dates over 4900 buildings as published in Vernacular Architecture up to Volume 55 (2024). It includes about 80 building dates obtained by high precision radiocarbon dating and by isotope dating. Descriptions of the buildings as given in the lists are included in the database. However, these descriptions have not been edited, so any cross-references they contain relate to the volume as printed. In particular, detailed studies of some of the buildings have been published as individual case studies or full papers. These are referred to, but for further information, the relevant volume of Vernacular Architecture will need to be consulted. About 400 buildings which have been investigated for tree-ring dating, but for which no date was obtained are listed as well. Some dates that have been superseded by later work are also indicated.
Field Descriptions
- When applicable, the first date listed is that of primary construction.
- Date searches are carried out using the Year Short: the mid-point of the range, if a date range is given, or the first year +50 for an 'After' date
- The Date Notes field should be consulted for the significance of the additional felling dates.
- The Volume and page references are for the entries in Vernacular Architecture. A unique identifier number has also been assigned to each entry in the database (list sequence id). Note: The identifiers for VA 53 have been amended following the discovery of an error in the original sequence.
- If no range is given for the date it is precise (complete sapwood).
- The structure and building type fields are based on information provided in the lists (occasionally modified in the light of unpublished information), and are certainly incomplete.
- County: counties are listed as given in the original description and include both the historic and modern counties. If searching for a particular county, make sure that all the alternatives given in the drop-down list are examined.
Searching the Dendrochronology Database
The database can be searched on the Query Page using the following fields:
Type of date - This field identifies the type of date, covering: Ring-width dates, radiocarbon and isotope dates, superseded dates and undated sites.
Date Range - Enter beginning and end dates into these fields to select all records with a felling date which lies between them. For all records after a particular date omit the 'before' date and vice versa for all records before a date.
Location - The location of the Building dated, usually including town/village and building name. Enter any part of the name.
County - Select a county from the choices in the drop down list. Note that the counties listed include both historic and current counties.
Grid Reference - Grid references can be entered to different amounts of precision. Just entering the Grid letter will return everything within that 100km square. Entering numbers in the easting and northing boxes confines the search to grid references beginning with the corresponding digits.
Type of Structure - This field holds information about the structure or make-up of a building (Aisled, cruck etc).
Type of Building - This field holds information about the sort of building (Barn, house, church etc).
Period - This field contains the period the date lies within using the MIDAS standard.
Laboratory - This field contains the name of the laboratory where the dating was carried out.
Identifiers - These allow you to find an entry in the database according to volume and page number in the original publications or using the List sequence database identifier.
