Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

You are in [Artefacts] [Miscellaneous] [How to Date Timber-Frame Buildings]

A timber-frame building, especially if it is constructed of oak, can often be accurately dated by dendrochronology (tree-ring dating). Several buildings in Hungerford have been studied by Dr Andy Moir, of Tree-Ring Services. One such building is 85-86 High Street, which includes timbers felled in the winter of 1448-49, and was therefore probably erected in 1449, 50 years after the death of John of Gaunt.

An estimation of the date of timber-frame buildings can be made by matching a range of features to a summary of typographic features (the one below relates to Surrey, and is based on one kindly provided by Andy Moir:

See also:
- How to find the age of an old tree
- 85-86 High Street

Updated: 28.2.2011

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