Dendrochronological evidence for long-distance timber trading in the Roman Empire.

An important question for our understanding of Roman history is how the Empire's economy was structured, and how long-distance trading within and between its provinces was organised and achieved. Moreover, it is still unclear whether large construction timbers, for use in Italy, came from the widespread temperate forests north of the Alps and were then transported to the sparsely-wooded Mediterranean region in the south. Here, we present dendrochronological results from the archaeological excavation of an expensively decorated portico in the centre of Rome. The oak trees (Quercus sp.), providing twenty-four well-preserved planks in waterlogged ground, had been felled between 40 and 60 CE in the Jura Mountains of north-eastern France. It is most likely that the wood was transported to the Eternal City on the Saône and Rhône rivers and then across the Mediterranean Sea. This rare dendrochronological evidence from the capital of the Roman Empire gives fresh impetus to the ongoing debate on the likelihood of transporting timber over long distances within and between Roman provinces. This study reconstructs the administrative and logistic efforts required to transport high-quality construction timber from central Europe to Rome. It also highlights an advanced network of trade, and emphasises the enormous value of oak wood in Roman times

Les tours des Cigognes ou Ribeauvillé (Haut-Rhin) face à la menace bourguignonne (vers 1475)

L’étude archéologique des deux tours des Cigognes à Ribeauvillé a été conçue comme une opportunité d’accroître nos connaissances sur l’une des dernières campagnes de renforcement du système défensif médiéval de cette ville et de résoudre la question de sa datation. L’analyse des murs, des planchers et de la charpente d’une des deux tours a ainsi permis de mieux appréhender ses caractéristiques architecturales (plan et structure, matériaux et techniques de construction) et son mode de fonctionnement initial (accès, distribution verticale, usage des espaces et des postes de tir). Par ailleurs, les indices de datation fournis par l’expertise dendrochronologique des bois d’œuvre suggèrent que le contexte historique régional de la construction des tours est celui de la guerre de Bourgogne (automne 1474-janvier 1477). Les données archéologiques et chronologiques ouvrent in fine la voie à une réflexion sur l’usage défensif et sur la valeur militaire des tours, par une restitution du plan de tir de l’ouvrage et par un essai d’identification des armes à feu correspondant aux types de meurtrières mises en œuvre.The purpose of the archaeological study of the two Tours des Cigognes in Ribeauvillé was to further our knowledge about one of the last projects to strengthen the medieval defences of the town and to decide on its dating. Analysis of the walls, floors and roof structure of one of the towers provided an opportunity for a better understanding of its architecture (plan and structure, building materials and techniques) and how it was initially used (access, vertical distribution, use of spaces and firing placements). Dendrochronology of the structure suggests that the towers were constructed around the time of Burgundian Wars (autumn 1474–January 1477). Archaeological and chronological data offer an understanding of the field of fire and help to identify the weapons that corresponded to the types of embrasures and loopholes built.Die archäologische Studie von zwei Türmen, den Tours des Cigognes in Ribeauvillé, bot Gelegenheit, unsere Kenntnis einer der letzten Phasen der Verstärkung des mittelalterlichen Verteidigungssystems dieser Stadt zu bereichern und die Frage nach deren Datierung zu beantworten. Die Analyse der Mauern, der Holzfußböden und des Tragwerkes eines der beiden Türme hat es ermöglicht, seine Architektur (Grundriss und Struktur, Materialien und Bautechniken) sowie seine ursprüngliche Funktionsweise (Zugang, vertikale Raumaufteilung, Nutzung der Räume und der Schützenstände) besser zu erfassen. Im Übrigen legen die dendrochronologischen Daten der Bauholzanalysen nahe, dass der Bau der Türme mit den Burgundischen Kriegen (Herbst 1474 - Januar 1477) in Zusammenhang steht. Durch die Rekonstruktion des Schießplans des Bauwerks und den Versuch die dem Typ der Schießscharten entsprechenden Feuerwaffen zu identifizieren, öffnen die archäologischen und chronologischen Daten schlussendlich den Weg zur einer Reflexion über die defensive Rolle der Türme und ihre militärische Bedeutung

Les tours des Cigognes ou Ribeauvillé (Haut-Rhin) face à la menace bourguignonne (vers 1475)

L’étude archéologique des deux tours des Cigognes à Ribeauvillé a été conçue comme une opportunité d’accroître nos connaissances sur l’une des dernières campagnes de renforcement du système défensif médiéval de cette ville et de résoudre la question de sa datation. L’analyse des murs, des planchers et de la charpente d’une des deux tours a ainsi permis de mieux appréhender ses caractéristiques architecturales (plan et structure, matériaux et techniques de construction) et son mode de fonctionnement initial (accès, distribution verticale, usage des espaces et des postes de tir). Par ailleurs, les indices de datation fournis par l’expertise dendrochronologique des bois d’œuvre suggèrent que le contexte historique régional de la construction des tours est celui de la guerre de Bourgogne (automne 1474-janvier 1477). Les données archéologiques et chronologiques ouvrent in fine la voie à une réflexion sur l’usage défensif et sur la valeur militaire des tours, par une restitution du plan de tir de l’ouvrage et par un essai d’identification des armes à feu correspondant aux types de meurtrières mises en œuvre.The purpose of the archaeological study of the two Tours des Cigognes in Ribeauvillé was to further our knowledge about one of the last projects to strengthen the medieval defences of the town and to decide on its dating. Analysis of the walls, floors and roof structure of one of the towers provided an opportunity for a better understanding of its architecture (plan and structure, building materials and techniques) and how it was initially used (access, vertical distribution, use of spaces and firing placements). Dendrochronology of the structure suggests that the towers were constructed around the time of Burgundian Wars (autumn 1474–January 1477). Archaeological and chronological data offer an understanding of the field of fire and help to identify the weapons that corresponded to the types of embrasures and loopholes built.Die archäologische Studie von zwei Türmen, den Tours des Cigognes in Ribeauvillé, bot Gelegenheit, unsere Kenntnis einer der letzten Phasen der Verstärkung des mittelalterlichen Verteidigungssystems dieser Stadt zu bereichern und die Frage nach deren Datierung zu beantworten. Die Analyse der Mauern, der Holzfußböden und des Tragwerkes eines der beiden Türme hat es ermöglicht, seine Architektur (Grundriss und Struktur, Materialien und Bautechniken) sowie seine ursprüngliche Funktionsweise (Zugang, vertikale Raumaufteilung, Nutzung der Räume und der Schützenstände) besser zu erfassen. Im Übrigen legen die dendrochronologischen Daten der Bauholzanalysen nahe, dass der Bau der Türme mit den Burgundischen Kriegen (Herbst 1474 - Januar 1477) in Zusammenhang steht. Durch die Rekonstruktion des Schießplans des Bauwerks und den Versuch die dem Typ der Schießscharten entsprechenden Feuerwaffen zu identifizieren, öffnen die archäologischen und chronologischen Daten schlussendlich den Weg zur einer Reflexion über die defensive Rolle der Türme und ihre militärische Bedeutung

Tree rings reveal signs of Europe's sustainable forest management long before the first historical evidence.

To satisfy the increasing demand for wood in central Europe during medieval times, a new system of forest management was developed, one far superior to simple coppicing. The adoption of a sophisticated, Coppice-with-Standards (CWS) management practice created a two-storey forest structure that could provide fuelwood as well as construction timber. Here we present a dendrochronological study of actively managed CWS forests in northern Bavaria to detect the radial growth response to cyclical understorey harvesting in overstorey oaks (Quercus sp.), so-called standards. All modern standards exhibit rapid growth releases every circa 30 years, most likely caused by regular understorey management. We further analyse tree-ring width patterns in 2120 oak timbers from historical buildings and archaeological excavations in southern Germany and north-eastern France, dating between 300 and 2015 CE, and succeeded in identifying CWS growth patterns throughout the medieval period. Several potential CWS standards even date to the first millennium CE, suggesting CWS management has been in practice long before its first mention in historical documents. Our dendrochronological approach should be expanded routinely to indentify the signature of past forest management practices in archaeological and historical oak wood

Predicted climate change will increase the truffle cultivation potential in central Europe.

Climate change affects the distribution of many species, including Burgundy and Périgord truffles in central and southern Europe, respectively. The cultivation potential of these high-prized cash crops under future warming, however, remains highly uncertain. Here we perform a literature review to define the ecological requirements for the growth of both truffle species. This information is used to develop niche models, and to estimate their cultivation potential in the Czech Republic under current (2020) and future (2050) climate conditions. The Burgundy truffle is already highly suitable for cultivation on ~ 14% of agricultural land in the Czech Republic (8486 km2), whereas only ~ 8% of the warmest part of southern Moravia are currently characterised by a low suitability for Périgord truffles (6418 km2). Though rising temperatures under RCP8.5 will reduce the highly suitable cultivation areas by 7%, the 250 km2 (3%) expansion under low-emission scenarios will stimulate Burgundy truffles to benefit from future warming. Doubling the moderate and expanding the highly suitable land by 352 km2 in 2050, the overall cultivation potential for Périgord truffles will rise substantially. Our findings suggest that Burgundy and Périgord truffles could become important high-value crops for many regions in central Europe with alkaline soils. Although associated with uncertainty, long-term investments in truffle cultivation could generate a wide range of ecological and economic benefits

Radiocarbon offsets and old world chronology as relevant to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia and Thera (Santorini)

The new IntCal20 radiocarbon record continues decades of successful practice by employing one calibration curve as an approximation for different regions across the hemisphere. Here we investigate three radiocarbon time-series of archaeological and historical importance from the Mediterranean-Anatolian region, which indicate, or may include, offsets from IntCal20 (~0–22 14C years). While modest, these differences are critical for our precise understanding of historical and environmental events across the Mediterranean Basin and Near East. Offsets towards older radiocarbon ages in Mediterranean-Anatolian wood can be explained by a divergence between high-resolution radiocarbon dates from the recent generation of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) versus dates from previous technologies, such as low-level gas proportional counting (LLGPC) and liquid scintillation spectrometry (LSS). However, another reason is likely differing growing season lengths and timings, which would affect the seasonal cycle of atmospheric radiocarbon concentrations recorded in different geographic zones. Understanding and correcting these offsets is key to the well-defined calendar placement of a Middle Bronze Age tree-ring chronology. This in turn resolves long-standing debate over Mesopotamian chronology in the earlier second millennium BCE. Last but not least, accurate dating is needed for any further assessment of the societal and environmental impact of the Thera/Santorini volcanic eruption.</p

Radiocarbon offsets and old world chronology as relevant to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia and Thera (Santorini)

The new IntCal20 radiocarbon record continues decades of successful practice by employing one calibration curve as an approximation for different regions across the hemisphere. Here we investigate three radiocarbon time-series of archaeological and historical importance from the Mediterranean-Anatolian region, which indicate, or may include, offsets from IntCal20 (~0–22 14C years). While modest, these differences are critical for our precise understanding of historical and environmental events across the Mediterranean Basin and Near East. Offsets towards older radiocarbon ages in Mediterranean-Anatolian wood can be explained by a divergence between high-resolution radiocarbon dates from the recent generation of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) versus dates from previous technologies, such as low-level gas proportional counting (LLGPC) and liquid scintillation spectrometry (LSS). However, another reason is likely differing growing season lengths and timings, which would affect the seasonal cycle of atmospheric radiocarbon concentrations recorded in different geographic zones. Understanding and correcting these offsets is key to the well-defined calendar placement of a Middle Bronze Age tree-ring chronology. This in turn resolves long-standing debate over Mesopotamian chronology in the earlier second millennium BCE. Last but not least, accurate dating is needed for any further assessment of the societal and environmental impact of the Thera/Santorini volcanic eruption.ISSN:2045-232

Climate Change during and after the Roman Empire: Reconstructing the Past from Scientific and Historical Evidence

Growing scientific evidence from modern climate science is loaded with implications for the environmental history of the Roman Empire and its successor societies. The written and archaeological evidence, although richer than commonly realized, is unevenly distributed over time and space. A first synthesis of what the written records and multiple natural archives (multi-proxy data) indicate about climate change and variability across western Eurasia from c. 100 b.c. to 800 a.d. confirms that the Roman Empire rose during a period of stable and favorable climatic conditions, which deteriorated during the Empire's third-century crisis. A second, briefer period of favorable conditions coincided with the Empire's recovery in the fourth century; regional differences in climate conditions parallel the diverging fates of the eastern and western Empires in subsequent centuries. Climate conditions beyond the Empire's boundaries also played an important role by affecting food production in the Nile valley, and by encouraging two major migrations and invasions of pastoral peoples from Central Asia.Earth and Planetary SciencesHistor