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 in creating reference chronologies. The dendrochronological report provides the dating of an instrument as a calendar year (end date), indicating the year in which the last (most recent) tree ring on the top plate was formed when the tree was still alive. The end date represents the terminus post quem, the 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.
Na 16 koliščih na Ljubljanskem barju v Sloveniji je bilo med leti 1995 in 2021 z arheološkimi izkopavanji zbranih več kot 8.800 vzorcev z vodo napojenega arheološkega lesa. Večina vzorcev je bilo ...odvzetih iz pilotov, zabitih v zemljo, na katerih so bila zgrajena bivališča. Približno 20 % vzorcev je bilo iz lesa hrasta (Quercus sp.) in jesena (Fraxinus sp.), z več kot 45 branikami, ki jih je bilo mogoče vključiti v dendrokronološke analize in sestaviti kronologije širin branik za večino najdišč. Datiranje z uporabo dendrokronologije, radiokarbonskega datiranja in metode wiggle matching ter telekonekcije z nemško-švicarsko referenčno kronologijo so omogočili na leto natančno absolutno datiranje hrasta v časovnem okviru 3771–3330 pr. Kr. (kronologija BAR-3330), medtem ko so bili natančni radiokarbonski datumi pridobljeni za kronologije, ki pokrivajo obdobji 3285–3109 ± 14 kal. pr. Kr. (SG-VO) in 2659–2417 ± 18 kal. pr. Kr. (ZA-QUSP1). Potencial kronologij jesena, zlasti tistih iz 3. tisočletja pr. Kr., kjer ta vrsta prevladuje, še ni bil v celoti izkoriščen.
We present a technical note that supplements published procedures on optimal sample preparation for performing wood and phloem formation analyses. Before beginning sampling, it is important to learn ...about the characteristics of the tree or shrub species to be investigated. Some tips are given how to use the Trephor tool in the best way, how to remove the outer hard bark (periderm), how microcores should be handled after removal from the tree, and how they should be oriented for embedding in paraffin, and cutting thin sections for microscopy. Possible defects that may result from improper handling are illustrated and discussed. We also present optimal images to accurately identify different cell development stages in phloem and xylem, which is particularly challenging in hardwoods and Mediterranean tree and shrub species.
Na 16 koliščih na Ljubljanskem barju v Sloveniji je bilo med leti 1995 in 2021 z arheološkimi izkopavanji zbranih več kot 8.800 vzorcev z vodo napojenega arheološkega lesa. Večina vzorcev je bilo ...odvzetih iz pilotov, zabitih v zemljo, na katerih so bila zgrajena bivališča. Približno 20 % vzorcev je bilo iz lesa hrasta (Quercus sp.) in jesena (Fraxinus sp.), z več kot 45 branikami, ki jih je bilo mogoče vključiti v dendrokronološke analize in sestaviti kronologije širin branik za večino najdišč. Datiranje z uporabo dendrokronologije, radiokarbonskega datiranja in metode wiggle matching ter telekonekcije z nemško-švicarsko referenčno kronologijo so omogočili na leto natančno absolutno datiranje hrasta v časovnem okviru 3771–3330 pr. Kr. (kronologija BAR-3330), medtem ko so bili natančni radiokarbonski datumi pridobljeni za kronologije, ki pokrivajo obdobji 3285–3109 ± 14 kal. pr. Kr. (SG-VO) in 2659–2417 ± 18 kal. pr. Kr. (ZA-QUSP1). Potencial kronologij jesena, zlasti tistih iz 3. tisočletja pr. Kr., kjer ta vrsta prevladuje, še ni bil v celoti izkoriščen.
We present a technical note that supplements published procedures on optimal sample preparation for performing wood and phloem formation analyses. Before beginning sampling, it is important to learn ...about the characteristics of the tree or shrub species to be investigated. Some tips are given how to use the Trephor tool in the best way, how to remove the outer hard bark (periderm), how microcores should be handled after removal from the tree, and how they should be oriented for embedding in paraffin, and cutting thin sections for microscopy. Possible defects that may result from improper handling are illustrated and discussed. We also present optimal images to accurately identify different cell development stages in phloem and xylem, which is particularly challenging in hardwoods and Mediterranean tree and shrub species.
Wood identification of barbecue charcoal from commercial packages of three retailers (B1, B2, B3) in Slovenia and Croatia was performed with help of Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). CLSM ...enabled us to image key identification features of charcoal wood that were compared with light micrographs of wood from the reference collection. Product B1 contained charcoal made exclusively of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica) and the declaration indicated the address of the producer, in Serbia which allowed traceability of the wood. The selection of wood species in product B2, consisted of red oak (Quercus cerris or Q. rubra), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and cherry (Prunus avium), which could originate from Serbia, and it did not contain tropical wood as stated on the package. Product B3 contained wood from at least four (sub)topical species which could not be exactly identified to species/genus level. The declaration on the product did not allow traceability of wood. As the risks of illegal logging are high for wood of (sub)tropical origin, our results support the initiative that the monitoring of the charcoal trade should be covered by the EUTR - European Timber Regulations.
Wood identification of barbecue charcoal from commercial packages of three retailers (B1, B2, B3) in Slovenia and Croatia was performed with help of Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). CLSM ...enabled us to image key identification features of charcoal wood that were compared with light micrographs of wood from the reference collection. Product B1 contained charcoal made exclusively of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica) and the declaration indicated the address of the producer, in Serbia which allowed traceability of the wood. The selection of wood species in product B2, consisted of red oak (Quercus cerris or Q. rubra), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and cherry (Prunus avium), which could originate from Serbia, and it did not contain tropical wood as stated on the package. Product B3 contained wood from at least four (sub)topical species which could not be exactly identified to species/genus level. The declaration on the product did not allow traceability of wood. As the risks of illegal logging are high for wood of (sub)tropical origin, our results support the initiative that the monitoring of the charcoal trade should be covered by the EUTR - European Timber Regulations.
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