A method may include performing a transaction on a row in a table stored in a database. In response to performing the transaction, a first timestamp block associated with a range of rows including the row may be retrieved. In response to determining that the first timestamp block is a sparse timestamp block that has reached maximum capacity, a second timestamp block may be allocated for storing the timestamp associated with the transaction. The sparse timestamp block may be allocated with sufficient storage space for storing some but not all of the timestamps associated with the range of rows. By contrast, the second timestamp block may be a dense timestamp block allocated with sufficient storage space for storing all of the timestamps associated with the range of rows. The timestamp associated with the transaction may be stored in the second timestamp block.