I am holding a block course titled “Tree-ring research at the interface of archaeology, climatology and ecology” at the University of Bern from February 2 – 6, 2015.
Annually resolved and absolutely dated chronologies of different tree-ring parameters, such as width, density and isotopic ratios, together with wood anatomical characteristics, not only form the backbone of high-resolution palaeoclimatology but also represent unique sources of ecological process understanding and allow archaeological, historical and sub-fossil wood to be dated at calendar precision. This course will first provide a general overview on dendrochronological essentials with emphasis on applicational potentials and methodological limitations. Moreover, the theoretical parts on Monday and Thursday-Friday will be accompanied by an excursion to the Canton Valais (Tuesday) as well as a lab-day at the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL near Zurich (Wednesday), which hosts the worldwide leading tree-ring laboratory. The ultimate aim of this class is to offer basic understanding of modern tree-ring research techniques, and to deliver a comprehensive synthesis for possible applications among various disciplines.
Please visit this for detailed information.