Curve sliding

The process of crossdating implies comparing two curves with each other and trying to find where they fit together.

Here, the red curve is shifted stepwise from left to right along the black curve. For each step we try to quantify how well the red and black curves fit together at that point.

Let the curves lay over each other on a table with the red curve plotted on transparent paper. After looking at the mismatch you can set up a score telling how bad it all looks. Then shift the upper curve one step (one year) to the right and set up a second score for this mismatch. While stepping and scoring you suddenly see - if you are lucky - a really good match which will give a high score.

Plot your scores, one for each step, and it may look as the picture above. As you can see there is only one high peak. This occurs when the two curves lay over each other with their very first years overlapping. In real world this means that the two logs were cut the same year.