This entry-level workshop will introduce participants from the fields of history and archaeology to the palaeoecological sciences and their relevance to historical and archaeological research. Beginning with an overview of palaeoecology, how it works and how it can be used, the program will offer brief surveys of a number of key ecological sciences: stable isotope analysis and sedimentary geochemistry; speleothems, ice cores, palynology and dendrochronology; C14 dating, multi-proxy data, and more. The focus will be on pollen analysis, including data presentation, reconstruction of past vegetation, climate and land cover, and sampling strategies.

In particular, the program will explain how such proxies are interpreted, the conceptual basis for the reconstructions derived from them, and the assumptions, uncertainties, and statistical methods for data transformation that accompany their use. While we will focus on the Mediterranean Basin as a case study, examples will also be drawn on from other world regions, including temperate Europe and North America.

• An intensive 9-day workshop
• Entry-level: no previous knowledge of the subject required
• Geared towards younger scholars (junior faculty members and graduate students, although undergraduates may also be admitted)
• For scholars in the humanities and social sciences

The program consists of a series of 18 x 3-hour sessions over 9 days.
Seminars will convene in Scheide Caldwell and in Guyot Hall.
There will be some preparatory reading - a very short bibliography will be issued nearer the time!

Application Process and Deadlines
There is a limited number of places available. Those interested should submit a brief statement of interest (no more than 200 words), with their current position/program at Princeton, to John Haldon ([email protected]) by November 30th 2024. The subject line of the email should read “Application for Palaeoscience Workshop.” Successful applicants will be notified by December 1st 2024.
Additional Information
The workshop is open in the first instance to Princeton graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and junior faculty. Undergraduates may be admitted depending on availability of places. Coffee and lunches will be provided.

For more information about CCHRI: https://climatechangeandhistory.princeton.edu/ 

The Climate Change and History Research Initiative and its program are made possible through the generous support of the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, the High Meadows Environmental Institute, the Center for Collaborative History and the Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies