Analysis of the wooden structure of the well: dendrochronological findings
The wooden elements of the well were preserved in such good condition that not only the type of wood but also its age could be determined. The basis for dating a wooden beam lies in the growth patterns (thickness, structure) of its vascular bundles, which reflect the environmental conditions – precipitation and temperature – of the years during which the tree grew. By aligning ring sequences backward in time, the age of the outermost growth ring of the discovered oak beam could be determined.
It was revealed that the well excavated in Buda Castle was constructed in the 1570s. The outer growth rings of the oak beams found in the well dated to the years 1566 and 1575, providing a precise timeline for its construction and use.