Dendrochronology, the scientific method of studying tree rings, can pinpoint the age of archaeological sites using information stored inside old wood. Trees dont grow their trunk uniformly; though they add a new ring each growing season, trunk growth is closely linked to climate conditions.

What other applications of tree ring data are there?

Applied dendrochronological topics now include the study of changes in both the immediate and distant environment (Dean 1988), the history and effects of pollution (summarized in Schweingruber 1988), stream erosion and infill (LaMarche 1966), forest fires (Swetnam 1993), earthquakes (Lamarche and Wallace 1972; Jacoby,

What does tree ring dating tell archaeologists?

Dendrochronology (or tree-ring dating) is the scientific method of dating tree rings (also called growth rings) to the exact year they were formed. As well as dating them, this can give data for dendroclimatology, the study of climate and atmospheric conditions during different periods in history from wood.

Why do archaeologists often need to use tree ring samples from many different trees to create a master chronology?

Archaeologists look at other trees of the same species in the area because they have the same ring patterns. When scientists and archaeologists use tree rings for dating it is always a good idea to use multiple samples because the wood can sometimes be older or younger than the purpose or structure they were used for.