Dendrochronology of Medieval Novgorod: analysis of chronological and quantitative distribution ofdendrochronological dates of wood samples

The paper examines the results of the analysis concerning chronologicaland quantitative distribution of the dendrochronological dates of wood samples from theoccupation layer of Veliky Novgorod. This analysis helps identify general patterns of urbandevelopment both in specific city boroughs and in entire Novgorod. The link betweenurban construction and fires described in chronicles has been identified (in the boroughknown as the Slavna End). Besides the periods of active stock-piling of timber andconstruction of mansions, finds from some excavation trenches reveal chronological gapsassociated with post-occupational layers, which can be explained by certain extraordinaryevents (for example, epidemics described in written sources) (the Liudin End). The earlierdendrochronological dates are indicative of urban construction in various boroughs ofthe city starting from the first half of the 10th century (the Liudin End, the Nerevskiy End,the Kremlin) and demonstrate a gradual expansion of the Novgorod area both aroundthe St. Sophia part and the Market part of the city