First Dendrochronological Datings of Historical Timber in Albania

Abstract

The dendrochronological investigations were conducted primarily on timber from the region of Korça in the south-east of Albania. The samples come from recent trees, from churches, secular buildings, icons and from the piles of prehistoric settlements on the shore of the Great Prespa Lake and on the Macedonian side of Lake Ohrid. The majority of the 564 samples come from conifers, in particular European Black Pine (Pinus nigra), Bosnian Pine (Pinus heldreichii), fir (Abies sp.) and in prehistoric times also juniper ( Juniperus sp.). So far it has only been possible to sample wood from deciduous trees like beech (Fagus sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.) on a much smaller scale. The samples enable us to establish median series of annual growth rings from the Neolithic (6th millennium), middle Bronze Age (3rd millennium), the Middle Ages and the modern era. Absolute datings are at the moment sufficient only for timber finds from the last 1000 years. So far, 219 annual growth ring series from 36 icons and seven buildings have been dated. The contribution also discusses aspects of climate history, the history of building and art, and historical forms of forest utilization. The continuation of these investigations is contributing significantly to the development of an absolute chronological framework for the region south and south-east of the Alps.