Dendrochronology (or tree-ring dating) is the scientific method of dating tree rings (also called growth rings) to the exact year they were formed. A trees growth rate changes in a predictable pattern throughout the year in response to seasonal climate changes, resulting in visible growth rings.

What kind of trees does dendrochronology usually use?

Oak is a highly preferred species to use in dendrochronology - in fact, the longest continuous tree-ring chronology anywhere in the world was developed in Europe and is currently about 10,000 year in length.

How do archaeologists use dendrochronology?

Dendrochronology is an invaluable tool to help scientists determine the age of ancient settlements and artifacts. Archaeologists have a group of unlikely allies: trees. Dendrochronology, the scientific method of studying tree rings, can pinpoint the age of archaeological sites using information stored inside old wood.

How is dendrochronology done?

Crossdating is the most basic principle of dendrochronology. Crossdating is a technique that ensures each individual tree ring is assigned its exact year of formation. This is accomplished by matching patterns of wide and narrow rings between cores from the same tree, and between trees from different locations.