Dear list-members and beyond,

 

from 25.-29. march, I will give a course in wood anatomy and its applications in palaeoecology and archaeology, with practical training on archaeological waterlogged wood samples including some practical training on charcoal identification. This will be combined with a short introduction to dendrochronology.

 

There are still some places available, so please feel free to contact me about possibilities to participate. A course description is attached, and the course will be taught both in german and english (no worry, presentations will be in english, no german language skills needed!)

 

Course "Wood as proxy for environment, culture and climate"

 

The aim of the course is to get aquainted with the analysis of wood and wood charcoal as a method of palaeoecology, including taking samples in the field, sample processing, microscopical work, data analysis. Wood is only preserved in wet, oxygen-free conditions. Charred wood/charcoal is very resistant against microbial attack and thus is found everywhere. They thus deliver information – as do pollen grains and other plant macrofossils – about past vegetation. Possible sample sites are archaeological excavations, soils, soil sediments (colluvisols), historical charcoal production sites etc. At the end, you should be familiar with the potentials and limits of wood and wood charcoal analysis and have a first insight into wood anatomy and the application of microscopical wood determination.

The course is open to students of all disciplines. If students without sufficient german language skills take part, the course will be in english.