The dendrochronological analysis of a stringed instrument requires inspecting the top plate, tree ring dating the tree ring widths, establishing the chronology of the instrument, and dating through determining the end date-the year of the formation of the most recent tree ring. Dendrochronology, the science of dating tree rings in the wood, defines in which calendar year a particular tree ring was formed. The method can be used to determine the age and authentication of wooden musical instruments. We present a protocol describing how to perform a dendrochronological analysis on stringed instruments and how to interpret the dating. The protocol describes the basic steps in the analysis of top plates, which are usually made of Norway spruce Picea abies or, more rarely, silver fir Abies alba. First, the top plate is carefully inspected, and then the tree ring widths are measured directly on the instrument using high-resolution images. After completing the measurements, a tree ring sequence of the instrument is created, and, in the next step, dating is performed with a number of reference chronologies of the tree species from different geographical areas and instruments. The specialists who date the instruments also invest work tree ring dating creating reference chronologies. The dendrochronological report provides the dating of an instrument as a calendar year end dateindicating the year in which the last most recent tree ring on the top plate was formed when the tree was still alive. The tree ring dating date represents the terminus post quemthe year after which the instrument was made or before which it could not have been made. To estimate the year of manufacture, one must consider the time required for wood drying and storing and the number of tree rings removed during wood processing. This protocol is intended to help those commissioning such an analysis to better understand how the analysis is performed and how to interpret the dendrochronological reports in terms of the age, origin, maker, and authenticity of the instrument. The goal of this study is to present a protocol for the dendrochronological analysis of tree rings on the top plate of a wooden musical stringed instrument. Dendrochronology is used as a method to determine the age of the wood of the instrument by determining the year in which the youngest tree ring on the plate was formed and after which the instrument was made or before which the instrument could not have been made. Dating a musical instrument such as a violin is an important step in its authentication 123456. It is a complex process that involves the year in which the instrument was made, as well as the maker or instrument-making school or geographical area. To do this, dendrochronology is often combined with other techniques, which include the study of the label on the instrument which is often not reliable and the inspection of the instrument and its parts such as the outlines, scroll, wood figure and aging, varnish, f-holes, and purfling Figure 1. The authentication can only be done by experts 567. Figure 1 : The top of the violin and its parts. The wood of the top plate also called the front plate, belly, or soundboard made of Norway spruce Picea abies can be dated by dendrochronology. The characteristics and dimensions of other parts such as the scroll, tree ring dating, and purfling are studied by organologists and help to authenticate the instrument. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure. Dendrochronology is the science of dating tree rings in the wood, also called annual rings, growth rings, or growth layers, which are formed every year in the trees of temperate zones. Dendrochronology clarifies in which calendar year a particular tree ring was formed. By dating the outermost and most recently formed tree ring just below the bark, the last year of a tree's life before it was cut down can be determined. Dendrochronology is based on the principle that annual variations in tree ring width and other characteristics are largely influenced by the environment, especially the climate, in which the trees grow. When conditions are similar over an area, trees of the same species show similar tree ring variations from year to year 8. This means that the tree ring series i. The dating of wooden instruments follows the principles used for dating historical objects. In most cases, it is based on measuring tree ring width, creating tree ring series of the same object, cross-dating to determine their matching positionand averaging them into a floating chronology of an object showing the tree ring series in relative time 346. Absolute dating determining the calendar year of tree ring formation is accomplished by cross-dating with one or more reference chronologies established for a particular tree species and geographic area 46. The reference chronologies must be based on the tree ring widths of a sufficient number of trees replication and should be long enough to cover the period of interest. Dendrochronology is regularly applied to determine the age of stringed instruments such as violins, violas, and cellos 19101112 For stringed instruments, the wood of the top plates also the front plate, belly, or soundboard can be dated. They are usually made of Norway spruce Picea abies or silver fir Abies alba 46 The measurements must be made in a non-invasive way directly on the instrument or by using images. The measurements are usually made at different locations on the top plate to establish a sequence for the instrument that can be dated with reference chronologies. Dating is the most critical step because a reference chronology must be available for the species, geographic area, and time period of the instrument being studied. Many chronologies are available at the International Tree Ring Data Bank ITRDB 14but only a few are of Norway spruce or silver fir from the region covering the period of interest 6 ; therefore, dendrochronology laboratories put a lot of effort into constructing reference chronologies.
Dendrochronological Dating and Provenancing of String Instruments
Brehm, N et al. (): Radiocarbon measurements on tree rings of tree Q, ETH A tutorial and non-technical review of tree-ring dating. Still available via Internet Archive. These standard chronologies were applied to date detrended and non-detrended average tree-ring curves obtained from dendrochronological samples. Guide to Dendrochronology for Educators. Dendrochronologische Datierung und Provenancing von StreichinstrumentenThis concise but thorough explication of an important discipline will make dendrochonology more meaningful to students and professionals in archaeology, forestry, hydrology, and global change. When the two tree ring series are on the same relative time scale, save the position of the series. Es liegen 0 Rezensionen und 0 Bewertungen aus Deutschland vor. A simple cross-dating program for tree-ring research. Buchrückseite Tree-ring dating, or dendrochronology, is the study of the chronological sequence of annual growth rings in trees.
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Chicago. These standard chronologies were applied to date detrended and non-detrended average tree-ring curves obtained from dendrochronological samples. A tutorial and non-technical review of tree-ring dating. SMILEY, T. L. (): An introduction to tree ring dating. Guide to Dendrochronology for Educators. Dendrochronology is the science of dating tree rings in the wood, also called annual A simple cross-dating program for tree-ring research. Still available via Internet Archive. (): Dendrogeomorphology: Review and new techniques of tree-ring dating. STAHLE.The goal of this study is to present a protocol for the dendrochronological analysis of tree rings on the top plate of a wooden musical stringed instrument. This book jumps right into it- no messing around. Report the end date, which is the final result of the dendrochronological analysis Dendrochronology clarifies in which calendar year a particular tree ring was formed. In that way a tree forms another layer, over the old, existing ones - each year. To store the images, save the images in an adequate format. Alle Rezensionen ins Deutsche übersetzen. If you're new to tree-ring dating, this is definitely a MUST READ. Musical string instruments: Potential and limitations of tree-ring dating and provenancing to verify their authenticity. NOTE: For cross-dating, a specialized program and suitable reference chronologies are needed. Perform more than one measurement on the same board for later verification. Application of confocal laser scanning microscopy in dendrochronology. I work at a college where a professor told me they would like to order this book. Furthermore, dendrochronology can be used for dendroprovenancing, the determination of the geographic origin, as well as the luthiers or schools that made the instrument. NOTE: The most important steps of the protocol are illustrated in Figure 2. It talks about some pitfalls missing or double rings and how to correct for them. Dating a musical instrument such as a violin is an important step in its authentication 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. Dating of violins — The interpretation of dendrochronological reports. Perform the cross-dating, check the parameters of the agreement, and visually assess the proposed dating position. Repeat this step until all the tree ring series of each board and instrument are cross-dated. Check the tree ring patterns and the cross-dating parameters. The tree rings were very narrow, averaging 0. Therefore, wood specimen from historical buildings as well as archaeological excavations have to be analysed Figure 3. For this purpose, use the information on the label if original and other sources about the potential age, geographic area, manufacturer, and organological characteristics of the instrument assessed by other experts. The method can be used to determine the age and authentication of wooden musical instruments. This means that the tree ring series i. After completing the measurements, a tree ring sequence of the instrument is created, and, in the next step, dating is performed with a number of reference chronologies of the tree species from different geographical areas and instruments. In this way, the most probable violin maker the workshop and the geographical area of the wood source were suggested. Published: October 06, Therefore, the year of manufacture must be estimated step 6. This study was supported by the Slovenian Research Agency ARRS Program P Wood and lignocellulosic composites and the Young Researchers' Program.
