Application of dendrochronology in archaeology. Water and sewage systems in Renaissance Vilnius

Abstract

Dendrochronology is a powerful tool not only for investigation of current processes in living trees or ecosystems but also for studies into social history. Since wood for the long time has been one of the main resources used by people for different applications (constructions, furniture, boats and carriages, utensils, artworks, etc.), extant wooden artefacts contain chronological treeͲring information that may be used both for environmental sciences and for dating social events. A number of wooden underground objects had remained in the Vilnius Lower Castle territory from different periods due to the high groundwater level: remnants of wooden houses, pavements, wooden supports under masonry buildings, posts, etc. During archaeological investigation of the Castle elements of wooden water supply system and sewers were also found. Two types of finds were discovered during archaeological excavations in 1987–2009 that were related to the underground waterͲsupply network. They were wooden water pipes and their remains, as well as the metal couplings used to join them. The diameter of the pipes made from pine logs ranged from 25 to 40 centimeters and their length measured 9 meters. The pipes were joined to one another using iron cylinderͲshaped couplings with diameters of 11 to 17 centimeters and length of 10 to 13 centimeters.[...]