Floating Chronology
Definition
A ring-width sequence whose pattern is internally consistent but whose absolute calendar position is unknown because it cannot yet be crossdated to a master chronology. Common for pre-historical wood samples from regions where reference databases are still sparse.
- Domain
- Dendrochronology
- Defining feature
- Internally consistent ring pattern, unknown calendar position
- Cause
- Cannot yet be crossdated to a master chronology
- Common source
- Pre-historical wood from sparsely referenced regions
Common questions
How can a floating chronology later be anchored to calendar dates?+
It can be crossdated once an overlapping ring pattern links it to an existing absolute chronology, or through an independent dating method such as radiocarbon dating applied to the same wood, which constrains the possible calendar range.
Why would forensic timber analysis encounter a floating rather than an anchored chronology?+
A region or wood species may lack a well-developed master reference chronology, so even a well-measured ring sequence from an exhibit has no established calendar-dated pattern to match against, leaving its absolute date undetermined until reference data catches up.
Related terms
- Annual Ring
- A single year's growth increment visible as a concentric band in a transverse wood section. In most temperate trees, each ring consists...
- Crossdating
- The matching of ring-width patterns between two or more samples to determine their relative or absolute temporal relationship. The master method of...
- Master Chronology
- A continuous, absolutely dated ring-width sequence built by overlapping many individual samples, living trees linked to old timbers and subfossil wood. Regional...
- Missing Ring
- A year in which growth was so suppressed, by extreme drought, frost, or injury, that no visible ring was deposited. Missing rings...
- Sapwood
- The outer living wood of a tree, typically lighter in colour than the dark heartwood. Species have characteristic sapwood ring counts (a...