SDO14877 - Purcombe Farmhouse, Batts Lane, Marshwood, Dorset. Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers

‘Samples were taken from 15 oak timbers, representing various elements and potential phases within Purcombe Farmhouse. Three samples were unsuitable for analysis. The remaining 12 series were successfully cross-matched, producing a site chronology of 126 years dated as spanning the period AD 1379-1504. All 12 timbers, incorporating elements of the main frame, the roof, a floor joist, and partitions, appear to be coeval. Only one timber retained complete sapwood, this being a cross-beam associated with the stack, giving an actual felling date of winter AD 1504/5. The felling date ranges of the outer dated samples suggest a similar likely felling date for the timbers represented.’