Finding the Dates

After doing all of this: Skeleton plotting the core Showing the master chronology Matching the pattern of your skeleton plot with the master Now determine the actual dates of the virtual sample and consider possible paleoenvironmental applications

How to find the start and end dates: For example, the virtual sample has 21 rings The skeleton plot extends from line #0 to line #20, as on the right The pattern matching with the master chronology is obvious Therefore: The first ring (line #0 on the skeleton plot) corresponds to 1809 The last ring (line #20 on the skeleton plot) corresponds to 1829 Year dates of formation of all 21 rings are now known Congratulations: This sample is crossdated by skeleton plotting

When you try skeleton plotting for yourself, you can check your answers: There will be an "Answer" button under "Show or hide," as on the left When you mouse click to show answers, a box of answers will appear, as on the right If the sample had ring-growth anomalies, then the answer will include dates of absent/false rings as well