De \u27houten eeuw\u27 van een Vlaamse stad. Archeologisch en dendrochronologisch onderzoek in Ieper (prov. West-Vlaanderen)

European oak is the most suited species for dendrochronological research in Flanders. However, a local reference chronology, indispensable for the optimal implementation of dendrochronology as a dating tool, is not yet available. This is partly due to the assumption that in Flanders lowland oaks grow very fast and do not record a climatological signal in their growth-ring pattern. Furthermore, the strong pressure of humans on local forests is believed to have often disrupted the natural growth pattern of trees. As a consequence, little dendrochronological research has been carried out, making it impossible to develop a local reference chronology. This has resulted in poor dating success in the few cases in which analyses were attempted. This situation has led to the assumption that dendrochronology is not the most recommended dating technique for archaeological timbers and artefacts of local origin. In 1993, during an archaeological inspection of the Verdronken Weide outside the town walls of Ypres, numerous wooden timbers from a deserted medieval village were found. This find revived the demand for an intensive dendrochronological survey. This survey was first undertaken as part of a masters degree thesis (Dept. of Biology, Ghent University, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Wood Biology & Xylarium, Africamuseum, Tervuren) and was later continued by the Laboratory of Wood Technology (Ghent University). Over the years, wood from more archaeological sites in Ypres has been added to the database. This paper presents the results and historical interpretation of the dendrochronological research of wood from the Verdronken Weide and six other archaeological sites in Ypres