Dendrochronological analysis of the timber structure of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Abstract

Abstract The roof rafters and the lintels of the trabeated system of the Church of the Nativity were analysed, determining their tree species, dating the structural timber and, thereby, identifying the principal building/restoration phases and maintenance operations of the Basilica. The likely provenance of the timber was also determined, giving insight into the commercial trade routes of the time and the prevailing geopolitical connections. The roof timber of the Church is mainly oak, cedar and European larch, whereas its lintel beams consist entirely of cedar. The larch and oak timber was dated dendrochronologically, whereas the cedar could only be dated by radiocarbon analysis. The high correlation values between the Basilica's larch chronology and Alpine reference chronologies for the species indicate that the larch timber originates from the Eastern Alps. The oak site chronology correlates best with Turkish oak master curves made from Istanbul building timber, thereby pointing to a Turkish/Anatolian provenance of the Basilica's oak timber.