scholarly journals Tree Rings and the Chronology of Ancient Egypt

Radiocarbon ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. S85-S92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pearce Paul Creasman
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Potential Solution ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Egyptian History

A fundamental aspect of ancient Egyptian history remains unresolved: chronology. Egyptologists (and researchers in related fields that synchronize their studies with Egypt) currently rely on a variety of insufficiently precise methodologies (king lists, radiocarbon dating, etc.) from which to derive seemingly “absolute” dates. The need for genuine precision has been recognized for a century, as has the potential solution: dendrochronology. This manuscript presents a case for further progress toward the construction of a tree-ring chronology for ancient Egypt.

scholarly journals Tree Rings and the Chronology of Ancient Egypt

Radiocarbon ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (04) ◽  
pp. S85-S92
Author(s):  
Pearce Paul Creasman
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Potential Solution ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Egyptian History

A fundamental aspect of ancient Egyptian history remains unresolved: chronology. Egyptologists (and researchers in related fields that synchronize their studies with Egypt) currently rely on a variety of insufficiently precise methodologies (king lists, radiocarbon dating, etc.) from which to derive seemingly “absolute” dates. The need for genuine precision has been recognized for a century, as has the potential solution: dendrochronology. This manuscript presents a case for further progress toward the construction of a tree-ring chronology for ancient Egypt.

The royal mummies of ancient Egypt:An odyssey of discoveries and a fascinating source of data

1970 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Bauduer
Keyword(s):  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Age At Death ◽  
Valuable Source ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Egyptian History ◽  
Source Of Information

Thanks to mummification, the physical remains of many rulers of ancient Egypt are still observable today and constitute a valuable source of information. By evaluating the age at death and sometimes elucidating the degree of kinship and circumstances of death, our knowledge of ancient Egyptian history becomes more precise. Different pathologic conditions have been found and the evolution of the mummification process can be seen through time.The most spectacular discovery was that of Tutankhamen’s mummy, the single totally undisturbed tomb, associated with a fabulous treasure.The mummy of Ramses II has been extensively studied, the only one that flew to Paris where an irradiation was delivered in order to eradicate a destructive fungal infection.The identification of Akhenaten’s mummy and the explanation for his peculiar appearance are still unsolved problems.Noticeably, many Royal mummies remain of uncertain identity or undiscovered hitherto.

A New Annual 14C Dataset for Calibrating the Thera Eruption

Radiocarbon ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 953-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronny Friedrich ◽  
Bernd Kromer ◽  
Lukas Wacker ◽  
Jesper Olsen ◽  
Sabine Remmele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Annual Data ◽  
Calibration Data ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Oak Tree ◽  
Thera Eruption

ABSTRACTAnnually resolved tree-ring samples of the time period 1625–1510 BCE were analyzed from the German oak tree-ring chronology. Blocks of the same tree rings were previously used to generate IntCal calibration data. The new dataset shows an offset to the calibration data IntCal13 of 24 years and resembles annual data for the same time period derived from tree-ring records in other growth locations. A subset of samples of the period 1625–1585 BCE was additionally measured in three other laboratories (ETH, AAR, AA) for quality control.

scholarly journals A 241-Year Cryptomeria fortune Tree-Ring Chronology in Humid Subtropical China and Its Linkages with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
Zhipeng Dong ◽  
Dai Chen ◽  
Jianhua Du ◽  
Guang Yang ◽  
Maowei Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Pacific Decadal Oscillation ◽  
Asian Summer Monsoon ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Subtropical China ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The World ◽  
Asian Summer

Humid subtropical China is an “oasis” relative to other dry subtropics of the world due to the prevailing of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Although many long climate sensitive tree-rings have been published to understand the historical climate change over various regions in China, long tree-ring chronologies in humid subtropical China are rare due to the difficulty to find old growth trees. This study established a tree-ring chronology spanning from 1776 to 2016 from Cryptomeria fortunei Hooibrenk ex Otto et Dietr in Liancheng area of humid subtropical China, which is also currently the longest chronology in Fujian province. Similar to the climate-growth relationships in neighboring regions, our tree-ring chronology is limited by cold temperature in winter and spring and drought in summer. In addition, a drought stress before the growing season also played a role in limiting the growth of our tree rings. Our climate sensitive tree rings showed different correlations with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) in different periods, possibly via modulation of the EASM.

The Oxford Handbook of Egyptology

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Current State ◽  
Egyptian Culture ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Current Characteristics ◽  
The Many ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Egyptian History

The Oxford Handbook of Egyptology presents a series of articles by colleagues working across the many archaeological, philological and cultural subdisciplines within the study of ancient Egypt from prehistory through to the end of the Roman Period. The volume seeks to place Egyptology within its theoretical, methodological, and historical contexts, both indicating how the subject has evolved and discussing its distinctive contemporary problems, issues and potential. Transcending conventional boundaries between archaeological and ancient textual analysis, it stresses the need for Egyptology to seek multidisciplinary methods and broader collaborations if it is to remain contemporary and relevant. It therefore serves as a reference work not only for those working within the discipline, but also as a gateway into Egyptology for archaeologists, anthropologists, sociologists and linguists. The book is organized into ten parts, the first of which examines the many different historical and geographical perspectives that have influenced the development and current characteristics of the discipline. Part II addresses the various environmental aspects of the subject: landscapes, climate, flora, fauna and the mineral world. Part III considers a variety of practical aspects of the ways in which Egyptologists survey, characterize and manage landscapes. Part IV discusses materials and technology, from domestic architecture and artefacts through to religious and funerary items. Part V deals with Egypt’s relations with neighbouring regions and peoples, while Part VI explores the sources and interpretive frameworks that characterize different phases of ancient Egyptian history. Part VII is concerned with textual and iconographic approaches to Egyptian culture, and Part VIII comprises discussions of the key aspects of ancient Egyptian scripts and philology. Part IX presents summaries of the current state of the subject in relation to a variety of textual genres, from letters and autobiographies to socio-economic, magical and mathematical texts. The final section covers different aspects of museology and conservation.

Determination of the Age of Swiss Lake Dwellings as an Example of Dendrochronologically-Calibrated Radiocarbon Dating

1966 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1173-1177 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Ferguson ◽  
B. huber ◽  
H. E. Suess
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Standard Error ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Pine Wood ◽  
Bristlecone Pine ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Swiss Lake

Comparison of the radiocarbon content of a series of samples of dendrochronologically dated bristlecone pine wood with that from trees for which a so-called floating tree-ring chronology has been established makes it possible to determine an empirical age for this floating tree-ring series based upon the age of the wood used for comparison. For the case of the Swiss Lake Dwellers, the difference between conventional radiocarbon dates and the age values determined in this manner amounts to about 800 years. The age of the floating chronology was determined within a standard error of less than 40 years. The measurements indicate that the dwellings were constructed during the 38th century B. C.

scholarly journals Millennial minimum temperature variations in the Qilian Mountains, China: evidence from tree rings

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1763-1778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhang ◽  
X. M. Shao ◽  
Z.-Y. Yin ◽  
Y. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Minimum Temperature ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Qilian Mountains ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Northeastern Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Reconstructed Temperature ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. A 1343-year tree-ring chronology was developed from Qilian junipers in the central Qilian Mountains of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP), China. The climatic implications of this chronology were investigated using simple correlation, partial correlation and response function analyses. The chronology was significantly positively correlated with temperature variables prior to and during the growing season, especially with monthly minimum temperature. Minimum temperature anomalies from January to August since AD 670 were then reconstructed based on the tree-ring chronology. The reconstruction explained 58% of the variance in the instrumental temperature records during the calibration period (1960–2012) and captured the variation patterns in minimum temperature at the annual to centennial timescales over the past millennium. The most recent 50 years were the warmest period, while 1690–1880 was the coldest period since AD 670. Comparisons with other temperature series from neighbouring regions and for the Northern Hemisphere as a whole supported the validity of our reconstruction and suggested that it provided a good regional representation of temperature change in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. The results of wavelet analysis showed the occurrence of significant quasi-periodic patterns at a number of recurring periods (2–4, 40–50, and 90–170 years), which were consistent with those associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and solar activity. The comparison between the reconstructed temperature and the index of tropical volcanic radiative forcing indicated that some cold events recorded by tree rings may be due to the impact of tropical volcanic eruptions.

scholarly journals The Ancient Egyptian Testamentary Disposition

Fundamina ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 199-231
Author(s):  
Nico van Blerk
Keyword(s):  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Ancient Egyptian ◽  
Legal Perspective ◽  
Egyptian History

This contribution discusses the ancient Egyptian testamentary disposition document as an arrangement made prior to death. It discusses from a legal perspective different documents used for this purpose. The purpose of a testamentary disposition was to make decisions about one’s assets before death. An attempt is made to indicate that the testamentary disposition document was used from very early in ancient Egyptian history and different documents were used as a will by the testator/testatrix. The purpose of the testamentary disposition was, essentially, to alter the customary intestate succession law. The initial emphasis and connection with religion diminished as different documents were used to make provision prior to death of what was to become of one’s estate. Studying these different testamentary dispositions, we may learn more about testate succession law in ancient Egypt.

Glacier Variations in the Sierra Nevada, California, as Related to a 1200-Year Tree-Ring Chronology

1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis A. Scuderi
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Alpine Timberline ◽  
Winter Temperatures ◽  
Foxtail Pine ◽  
Pinus Balfouriana

AbstractA time-series of tree-ringwidth indices for alpine timberline foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana) from the Sierra Nevada of California shows a growth response to summer, late fall, and early winter temperatures that is the inverse of that resulting in the expansion of alpine glaciers. These are correlated with lichen-dated moraines and avalanche deposits that accumulated during subsequent decades. Minima in the ringwidth record, reflecting marked temperature declines occurred at 810, 1470, 1610, 1700 and 1810. Cold periods of lesser extent are also indicated between 1190 to 1400 and suggest that the initial pulses of the Sierran Matthes advances may have begun as early as 1190, or 150 yr earlier than previously dated. The Matthes advances were preceded by a period of pronounced warmth from 900 to 1190 during which timberline rose 10 m to its present elevation. A warm period is also indicated between 1500 and 1580. Recent work extending the tree-ring chronology to 3031 yr B.P. and radiocarbon dating of weathered samples to 6300 yr B.P. suggests that the chronology may ultimately be applicable to the dating of earlier Sierran glacier advances.

scholarly journals A New Astronomically Based Chronological Model for the Egyptian Old Kingdom

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Gautschy ◽  
Michael E. Habicht ◽  
Francesco M. Galassi ◽  
Daniela Rutica ◽  
Frank J. Rühli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Old Kingdom ◽  
Astronomical Data ◽  
Ancient Egyptian

Abstract A recently discovered inscription on an ancient Egyptian ointment jar mentions the heliacal rising of Sirius. In the time of the early Pharaohs, this specific astronomical event marked the beginning of the Egyptian New Year and originally the annual return of the Nile flood, making it of great ritual importance. Since the Egyptian civil calendar of 365 days permanently shifted one day in four years in comparison to the stars due to the lack of intercalation, the connection of a date from the Egyptian civil calendar with the heliacal rising of Sothis is vitally important for the reconstruction of chronology. The new Sothis date from the Old Kingdom (3rd–6th Dynasties) in combination with other astronomical data and radiocarbon dating re-calibrates the chronology of ancient Egypt and consequently the dating of the Pyramids. A chronological model for Dynasties 3 to 6 constructed on the basis of calculated astronomical data and contemporaneously documented year dates of Pharaohs is presented.

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