Tree-ring research at Cape Espenberg, New insights on Time and Architecture
Résumé
Excavation at Cape Espenberg between 2009 and 2017 uncovered the impressing preservation of architectural wood, confirming its known importance in Thule house building technology between 1100 and 1800 AD. Collected disk samples were prepared, measured and crossdated using standard tree-ring procedures. Two to three floating chronologies are being built and further crossdated with the existing 1000-yr long Gidding’s Kobuk River chronology. Cross-dating samples within house features provides a better understanding of the house building process. One floating chronology crossdates with Gidding’s Kobuk sequence allowing to further refine the chronology of house occupation which is based on 14C dating. Our results also contribute to strengthening the early period of the only 1000-yr long Master chronology in Alaska with renewed perspectives for climate studies.