Dr Martin Bridge

Research summary

Research Interests

Main interests include the use of tree-rings in dating historic timbers and the relationships between tree-rings and various influences on growth, including climate, woodland management and natural pests.

Contract work (mostly for Historic England and County Councils, but also individuals, heritage groups etc.) specialising in the dating of medieval and post-medieval standing buildings and artefacts.

Research Projects

• Dating standing buildings
• Dendrochronological dating of chests
• Dendrochronological dating of early doors
• Dendrochronological dating of post mills

• Dendrochronological dating of the Mary Rose
• Interrogating archaeological data for climatic information

Collaborations

A long-term study on the timbers of the Tudor warship Mary Rose is ongoing with the Mary Rose Trust (Portsmouth), in particular with Christopher Dobbs.

Work carried out with the Auckland University Dendrochronology Laboratory in New Zealand, with Gretel Boswijk, Anthony Fowler and John Ogden.

Recent collaboration with Swansea University (Prof Neil Loader) looking at oxygen isotope assisted dendrochronology in oak, and extending to other species, such as elm.

Regular contract work is undertaken for HE Scientific Dating Section. Over 200 reports on dendrochronological investigations carried out for Historic England (and predecessors) , please contact Martin Bridge for details.

Teaching summary

Lectures in Dendrochronology

Education

City of London Polytechnic

Other Postgraduate qualification (including professional), Certificate of Teaching in Higher Education | 1992

Portsmouth Polytechnic

Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy | 1983

University of Bristol

First Degree, Bachelor of Science | 1979

Publications

Show more publications