Master Chronology
Definition
A continuous, absolutely dated ring-width sequence built by overlapping many individual samples, living trees linked to old timbers and subfossil wood. Regional chronologies for European oak and pine extend back more than 10,000 years.
- Field
- Dendrochronology
- Built from
- Overlapping ring-width sequences from many samples
- Sample linkage
- Living trees cross-matched to old timbers and subfossil wood
- European oak/pine span
- Extends back more than 10,000 years
Common questions
How is a master chronology used to date an unknown timber?+
The unknown sample's ring-width pattern is statistically cross-matched against the regional master, and the position of best fit gives the calendar year of the outermost ring, which can pin down felling date.
Why does the chronology need to be regional rather than universal?+
Ring width tracks local climate signals, so a chronology built from one region's rainfall and temperature history will not reliably match timber grown under a different climate regime elsewhere.
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...
- Floating Chronology
- A ring-width sequence whose pattern is internally consistent but whose absolute calendar position is unknown because it cannot yet be crossdated to...
- 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...