Dutch Centre for Dendrochronology

Dendrochronology is the science of dating wooden objects using tree ring patterns. Dendrochronological analysis can also be used to identify precisely where the wood used in heritage objects was sourced. The Dutch Centre for Dendrochronology, or RING, was established in 1993 to promote dendrochronological analysis in archaeology and other disciplines in the Netherlands.

At the RING laboratory, dendrochronology is applied and developed in all kinds of ways. Wooden heritage objects such as wells, roads, houses, ships, paintings and furniture are dated. Remains of woodland found in peat are analysed to enable past vegetation to be reconstructed. RING also develops new tree ring calendars for dating purposes, and for identifying the source of wood, including the timbers used to build ships.