RADIOCARBON AND DENDROCHRONOLOGICAL DATING OF SUB-FOSSIL OAKS FROM SMARHON RIVERINE SEDIMENTS

Sub-fossil oaks from Smarhon in Belarus have been investigated and tree-ring chronologies were assembled. According to radiocarbon dating, the oldest oak grew from 5782-5612 cal BC and the youngest from 1575-1747 cal AD. Radiocarbon and dendrochronological dating of 97 samples, four single series, 10 mean curves (containing 2-9 series) and three chronologies (10-25 series) were constructed. The longest chronology (No. 16), covering 549 years, was absolutely dated against various oak chronologies of Polish/Baltic origin to AD 778-1326. Germination and dying-off phases were assessed from the three best replicated chronologies. A spectral analysis of the chronologies provided cycles of variable length, on average of 25 years.