Richard Haddlesey (University of Winchester)

To date, there are approximately 108 timber-framed buildings, in Hampshire, that have been dendrochronologically dated to between 1244 and 1530. A survey has been carried out on these buildings to record the different types of joints used in their construction. These joints have been grouped, by type, to provide a chronology, informed by scientific dating methods. Once the chrono-typologies have been produced and cross- referenced with Hewett’s Essex data, the effects, if any, of the Black Death (1348-50) on carpentry techniques and technologies will be analysed.

The project utilises digital technologies to collect, collate, manage, query and ultimately disseminate data relevant to the study of timber joints. Such technologies include:
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
• Database Management Systems (DBMS)
• 3D modelling

The 3D modelling provides a means to explore how joints interact with each other, whilst also forming a visual database. This database can be disseminated through various mobile devices, supplying researchers with a real-time, portable, dating aid, for comparison in the field. The creation of the visual database also allows us to question how to represent a generic "3D joint", through various 2D devices, to researchers that are not familiar with computer visualisations and the "clean world" which they portray.

The combination of GPS and GIS enable the data to be analysed spatially to understand how the buildings work within a landscape context.

This then permits the answering of the question "building on fear" by applying theory to the science. Are the houses being built to protect the occupier from war, famine and plague or are they just projecting status and society?