Dendrochronology: The value of cross-dated tree rings

1. Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research:One- hundred-seven years of collecting, cross-dating, analyzing, archiving & curating of tree ring samples

2. Dendrochronology: The value of cross-dated tree rings The dating of Events and Processes with absolute annual resolution RMM05A 1644-1986 22Fire Scars PIPO ZMT08N 1939-1998 PSME MUMMY CAVE,AZ A.D.261-348 PSME

3. Summary History of the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research • Andrew E. Douglass, astronomer, helps establish Lowell Observatory • Douglass defines sunspot problem and possible solution, first tree ring samples • Douglass, Lowell & Mars • 1906 Douglass takes position at the University of Arizona in physics & astronomy • Douglass collecting at Prescott realizes power of cross-dating • 19teens, 20s & 30s Douglass collects in sequoia forests, archaeological sites & internationally • “Bridges the Gap” between the southwestern archaeological & modern tree ring record • Board of Regents formally establishes the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research • 1940s, 50s Douglass, Edmund Schulman & colleagues expand the research interests & applications • Edmund Schulman dies unexpectedly • A.E. Douglass dies at age 94 after a remarkable career that spanned not just time, but also multiple disciplines and international boundaries • 1962-Present Four Directors, multiple large scale projects, numerous small individual projects, multiple disciplines, expansion into international /global tree-ring research

4. Dendrochronology has a long standing relationship with intercollegiate athletics Upper: Sancet Baseball Stadium Lower: Sequoia radials from 1918 in old baseball stadium Upper: Bear Down Basketball Arena Lower: 10foot diameter sequoia cross section Upper: Arizona Football Stadium Lower: A.E.Douglass in Arizona Stadium Office1946

5. ARCHIVE & CURATE: What? Why? How? Archive: systematic recording & storage Curate: preserve & protect Curate in order to allow for future research on questions not yet asked. Curate prevents the degradation of the hard data(wood) and the results of analyses. Most important word:WATER Archive to ensure that scientific data is retained both as the hard data(wood) and as the results of analyses. Archive by maintaining accurate records through the entire process of sample collection, analyses & storage. Most important words: SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION #

6. ARCHIVING starts in the field, ends in storage

7. SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS BAN211 BSE02D(1), BSE02D(2), BSE02D(3) PSL024B ZMTO8E, ZMT08F, ZMTO8G, ZMT08H TRL2004-064F

8. VISIUAL AIDS IN ARCHIVING Color Coding boxes by category of sample Green = Ecology Blue = Climate Red = Fire History Blue lettering=Bristlecone pine Brown = Sequoia

9. ARCHIVE BOXING & SHELVING SYSTEMS 14 x 14 x 14 cube boxes (standard for archaeology & oversized cross section and small bulk wood; based on maximum size of band-saw cut ) Shelving is 1x14 pine board w/ 1x2, 2x2 & 2x4 framing 24 x 10 x 8 rectangular boxes (standard for increment cores, smaller cut down cross sections; based on increment borer of 50 cm ~20inches) Shelving is ¾ inch plywood w/ 2x4 legs & 1x4 stringers

10. MANUFACTURED SHELVING SYSTEMS Metal shelving systems have limitations in adaptation to odd shaped areas, but are good in linear situations. These units are 9feet high , 24 inches deep & 42 inches wide.

11. ARCHIVE INVENTORY/ACCESS

12. CURATE: PRESERVE & PROTECT • WOOD & WATER NOT A GOOD COMBINATION • MAINTAIN ARCHIVE AREAS AT 10-20% HUMIDITY • MOISTURE CONTENT OF WOOD 2-8% • WITH WATER COMES FUNGI & INSECTS • DRY VIA DRYING OVENS , MICROWAVE (BE CAREFUL) • FREEZE & KEEP FROZEN OR DEHYDRATE

13. TWO LARGE ARCHIVING & CURATING EXAMPLES“Synthesis Project” & Bristlecone Pine Project • “A SYNTHESIS OF SOUTHWESTERN DENDROCHRONOLOGY” • 1963-1975 (50 PERSON YEARS OF WORK) • 4 MAJOR COLLECTIONS &1 PRIVATE

14. ‘SYNTHESIS PROJECT’ RESULTS • COMPLETE INVENTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SAMPLES • 3X5 INDEX CARD FILE & HANGING FILE FOLDER INVENTORY RECORDS • CHECK OF ALL SAMPLES FOR DUPLICATION • CHECK OF ALL SAMPLES FOR CROSSDATING ACCURACY • ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCESSION NUMBERING SYSTEM • BETTER RECORD KEEPING • PUBLISHING OF “QUADRANGLE SERIES” OF COLLECTIONS AND CHRONOLOGIES

15. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARCHIVE TODAY • 400,000 + samples (~85% charcoal) • ~33% (132,000 cross-dated) • Represent 10,000 + sites • AED Archaeological boxes 1-678 • ~3-5,000 new samples received annually • Other Archaeological collections: • Navajo Land Claims • Bell/Hawley TVA • Alaska, Louis J, Giddings • Lost Collections: • Missouri Basin Survey • Massachusetts Historical Society

16. THE BRISTLECONE PINE PROJECT • Five Researchers Over a 50 Year Time Span: Now All Dead • 2000 Thomas P. Harlan receives small $$ gift • 2002 Joined by graduate student Christine L. Hallman • Attempting a complete inventory of all bristlecone data • Access Database Inventory has 11,500 + individual samples • Plus all field notes, b/w photos, slides, (repeats) worksheets , chronologies, new GPS locations with map overlays, scanned sections

17. SOME SIMPLE DO’S & DON’T’S • Do use cotton string not rubber bands • Do use cotton batting, paper straws, cardboard boxes not plastic

18. DO’S & DON’T’S CONTINUED • Do use Kraft paper tape not adhesive, fiber or duct tape • Do use box clips do not just fold the lids in together

19. DO’S & DON’T’S CONTINUED • Do use water soluble white/yellow wood glue not any permanent mastic • Do single shelf or double shelf not multi-stacked boxes per shelf • Do keep shelf bottoms 2 inches off the floor not directly on the floor • Many other little do’s & don’t’s & a BIG DO & DON’T • Do keep paper records; Do not rely solely on electronic databases • Breakdown in the system mid 1980s SOP

20. FUTURE RESEARCH USE • While not predictable, best to do as little to the sample as possible

21. FUTURE RESEARCH USE CONTINUED • Wood is sanded with successive finer grits; no sealer used

22. LEGAL & ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES LEGALLY BOUND BY THE SPECIFICATION S SET FORTH IN PERMITS LEGALLY BOUND BY PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN PROJECT FUNDING LEGALLY BOUND BY THE STATE OF ARIZONA RULES & REGULATIONS ETHICALLY BOUND TO MAINTAIN THE COLLECTIONS IN A PRESERVED & PROTECTED MANNER THIS IS NOT JUST A LABORATORY OF TREE-RING RESEARCH COLLECTION IT IS A WORLD HERITAGE COLLECTION

23. HEALTH & SAFETY QUESTIONS • FUNGI • WOOD DUST • CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS • OUTREACH VISITS • DRY SAMPLES , USE DILUTE BLEACH SPRAY • WORKSHOP VACUUM & EXHAUST FAN(S) • FOR ALL USE N95 DUSTMASKS & DISPOSABLE GLOVES • SAFE ENVIROMENT

24. Future for LTRR & science of Dendrochronology Present faculty, staff & student members equals 57 (www.ltrr.arizona.edu/people.html) Faculty = 7, Joint appointments & P.I.s=14, Retired emeritus=3 Scientific staff=6, Admin staff=3 Graduate students=16, Undergrad student assistants=4, Temps=4 (No Staff member with curator credentials, there never has been) Present space allocation in square footage equals ~18,000 sq.ft. (400,000 + archaeological samples , 800, 000+ other samples from projects) Space allocation is in 3 locations (2 on campus 1 off campus) ~two/thirds of the space is for archive and curating Arizona Football Stadium Math East Building SunnySide Elementary School Storage

25. NEW SPACE January 2008 Arizona Board of Regents & University approve $3.2 million renovation of space in West Stadium (increase square footage by 17,000 sq ft)

26. 70th Anniversary gift The gift has two purposes: First; build a true archive with a minimum of 10,000 sq.ft. Second; create a permanent position & hire a true curator , someone trained in all aspects of curation This position will likely be advertised in the next two months November 2007 At the 70th Anniversary a Long-Time Friend of LTRR gives $9 million

27. The Future of Dendrochronology In the mid 1950s, in the United States there was one tree ring research laboratory Internationally there were perhaps a-half dozen Today , the T-shirt illustrates nicely the international scope of interest, research & cooperation in Dendrochronology. http://web.utk.edu/~grissino/links.htm#institutes This web address link provides a connection to known tree ring research groups globally. http://web.utk.edu/~grissino/forum.htm This web address link provides access to the International Tree Ring Data Bank Forum. It is possible to ask questions about sampling, chronology development, computer programs, archive/curation procedures and general questions. Every 4 years there is an International Conference of Dendrochronology attended by 300+ from 30 countries. There are annual conferences by region and country. There are related annual field-weeks workshops. Information on these conferences/workshops are sent through the ITRDBForum. http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu http://web.utk.edu/~grissino/ In general, most any query about dendrochronology can be answered through these web-pages.

31. REFERENCES

32. LARGE SCALE PROJECTS POST 1962 • “Synthesis Project” • Major dating efforts with bristlecone pine • Calibration of the radiocarbon calendar • Development of tree ring growth models • Stream-flow reconstructions e.g. Colorado River • Mexican Dendrochronology Project • Southwest Paleoclimatic Network • Southern Hemisphere Project • California Oregon Chronology Development Project • Multi-component Sequoia Project • EPA Project • Fire History Network Project • Mesa Verde Archaeological Dating Projects • Middle Eastern, Mediterranean & North African Chronology Development • Dendroisotope studies • Tropical dendrochronology & climatology • Numerous M.A., PhD. & other smaller projects