An archaeodendrometric study was carried out on the cupboard in the Treasure Room of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Bayeux (CMH 1898/06/14), as part of a preliminary study commissioned by the Conservation des Monuments Historiques de Normandie. The examinations carried out by our laboratory had to be representative of the different modules of the cabinet in order to accurately describe the wood used according to its xylological (wood identification), dendromorphological (cutting method and wood shape), tracerological (implementation and tools used) and dendrochronological (wood dating and forest origin) characteristics.

Given the accessibility of the pieces used, their state of preservation and their potential for study, around sixty components were measured and recorded in October 2024.

The results of the study not only provide dates that show the chronology of the oak used (felled between 1211 and 1230), but also essential data on the selection and cutting methods used to make the 800 or so pieces that make up the piece.

Collaboration : Hélène Dreyfus, Sylvain Lucchetta, Nelly Koenig, Emilie Rouquié, Philippe Dechenaux