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 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.

Regular contract work is undertaken for English Heritage Scientific Dating Section. Over 120 reports on dendrochronological investigations carried out for English Heritage, please contact Martin Bridge for details.

Teaching summary

Lectures in Dendrochronology

Education

City of London Polytechnic

CETHE, | 1992

Portsmouth Polytechnic

PhD, Biological Sciences | 1983

University of Bristol

BSc, Botany | 1979

Publications