hat are examined and compared within an area, the accuracy of such a database will increase. Invariably however gaps in the chronologies will exist due to matters beyond present control, yet contemporary discoveries continue to fill in these gaps. For example in the Aegean area, the millennium from 500 B.C. to 500 A.D. was not well documented in this way. However the first 500 years have now possibly been clarified somewhat due to the discovery of a 513 year ring-sequence, in box timbers found in the Comacchio shipwreck. The sequence has been cross dated with other ring chronologies, yet is also dated by archaeologists to the last few decades B.C. by the discovery of several tons of lead ingots, stamped “Agrippa.” This is significant also as it shows that dendrochronology works best, not just by itself, but when complimented with other evidence. Similarly, the actual technique itself does not rely solely on ring width analysis. This is crucial as ring growth, and consequently appearance can be affected drastically by adverse environmental effects such as lightning and pollution etc. Human interference is also commonplace before and after the wood has been felled. Therefore methods such as neutron activation analysis, X-radiography and X-ray densitometry are employed in order to detect isotopes and trace elements, and to study chemical and morphological changes therefore complimenting the visual tests.There are many examples where the application of dendochronology has proved a significant tool for archaeologists. In an article, German archaeologist Andre Billamboz explains how the process was used to establish the “Environmental and climatical background of the Southwest German pile dwellings during the bronze and Iron age” By systematically examining the tree ring sequences of saturated lumber, an insight was gained into how prehistoric lakeshore and mire settlements in the area developed. The sequences also hel...
