August 6, 2003
More on the Newport medieval ship
The latest from Wales:
A medieval ship older than the Mary Rose may have been a Portuguese vessel captured by pirates, an expert said today. The 15th century ship was discovered in June last year during the construction of a theatre and arts centre on the banks of the River Usk in Newport, South Wales. . .For more on the ship, search our archives.Bob Trett, chairman of the trustees of Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust, believes it may have been part of a fleet belonging to the Earl of Warwick. . .
Tree ring dating identified some timbers of the ship as having been cut down in about 1465 or 1466. But later excavation led experts to think that that timber had been used in repairs and that the ship itself actually dated from much earlier."
Posted by David on August 6, 2003 12:16 PM
The origin of the ship, portugal/gascony might be determined from isotope ratios of iron if samples are available of the period from both places (and the ship!). similarly, from the wood itself ratios might be determined for calcium, potassium and suchlike which could point to the state of the ground water where the timber grew.
Sorry to intrude, but this sort of thing seems to have been done with human teeth.
regards
David Norman Laine
178 Ribblesdale Road
London
SW16 6QY
Posted by: david n laine on March 5, 2004 4:26 PM
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