Dendrochronicle is led by Coralie Mills BSc MA PhD FSAScot MCIfA.
SUMMARY CV
Tertiary Education and Qualifications
Reading University 1978-81, BSc (Hons) (2.1) Environmental Plant Geography.
Sheffield University 1983-4, MA (Distinction) Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy.
Sheffield University 1985-8, PhD Thesis: Dendrochronology in Exeter and its Application (mainly focussed on Exeter Cathedral).
Career Summary
From 1987 until 1992 I worked as a consultant environmental archaeologist to Historic Scotland (now HES). I joined AOC Archaeology in 1992 as manager of Post-Excavation Services and in 1997 became Executive Director. In latter years I was responsible for the strategic development of the company. I left AOC in June 2009 to pursue my specialist interests more fully. I set up my consultancy Dendrochronicle in 2009 when I was also appointed as an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of St Andrews (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences).
My academic background is in dendrochronology, landscape history and environmental archaeology. My research interests lie in the historic interface between people, timber and woodland, and in using dendrochronology not solely for heritage dating but also to reconstruct wooded landscape history including historic management and timber trade.
Since founding Dendrochronicle in 2009, I have had two main strands to my work: in archaeo-dendrochronology and in historic wooded landscape studies, the latter usually undertaken with my colleague Peter Quelch. I also undertake other analyses of historic timber structures, archaeological wood and charcoal assemblages, in collaboration with my colleague Hamish Darrah.
Dendrochronology
In dendrochronology, I have been commissioned to work on a range of historic buildings, archaeological assemblages and wooded landscapes, for example several Properties in Care for HES (Historic Environment Scotland) including buildings at Stirling Castle, medieval waterlogged wood assemblages and on historic woodlands such as the ancient wood pastures and old oak coppices around Loch Katrine for Forestry Commission Scotland (now FLS). I also undertake thematic dendrochronology research projects aimed mainly at developing the native tree-ring record in Scotland, including currently the SESOD (South East Scotland Oak Dendrochronology) project supported mainly by HES and FLS. Prior to that I was engaged as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow on the NERC funded SCOT2K native pine dendrochronology project through University of St Andrews, with PI Prof Rob Wilson (see Mills et al 2017 paper on the Publications page). In the noughties, I co-directed (with Dr Anne Crone of AOC Archaeology) the Native Oak and Pine Dendrochronology Project, funded by Historic Scotland, focussing on NE Scotland; Anne and I continue to work together closely to develop dendrochronology in Scotland.
Historic Wooded Landscapes
I undertake commissioned studies on historic wooded landscapes, often with my colleagues Peter Quelch (forester & native woodland advisor) and Hamish Darrah. Recently, Historic Woodland Studies have been commissioned to inform native woodland regeneration projects, including at Ardura Community Forest on Mull for the Mull & Iona Community Trust (MICT). Past projects include Historic Woodland Studies for HES in the settings of Caerlaverock Castle, Doune Castle and Kilchurn Castle. Historic Woodland Studies have also been undertaken for a range of community heritage projects including at Barhill Wood, Kirkcudbright (for GGLP), Leny Woods (for Callander’s Landscape Project), Killearn Glen (for Killearn Community Futures Company) and Falkland Park (for Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership). Many of these projects have incorporated workshops, guided walks and other public events. We have also undertaken historic woodland surveys for FCS (now FLS) at Loch Katrine and at Balgownie Wood in Fife, forming the basis of two Historic Environment best practice guides for FCS (now FLS), and a study at Callendar Wood in Falkirk.
Advocacy and voluntary roles
I am delighted to be appointed, in 2021, as an Expert Member of the ICOMOS International Wood Committee (IIWC). I am also an expert member of the ICOMOS UK Wood Committee.
It was a great honour to be appointed an Honorary Fellow of Scottish Environment LINK in 2018; I assist them in their advocacy work, especially on cultural heritage aspects in their Woodlands group.
As an active member of the Native Woodland Discussion Group, I worked on its committee for much of the time since 2009 and was chair for 2012-2015. Amongst various roles, I introduced and developed NWDG’s social media presence.
Membership of Societies
Chartered Institute of Field Archaeologists, MCIfA (Committee member SGCIfA, 2002-4).
Fellow of Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, FSA Scot. (Council member, 2002-2005).
ICOMOS Member: Expert Member of IIWC and UK wood committees.
Native Woodland Discussion Group, NWDG (2009-2023, Chair 2012-2015).
Royal Scottish Forestry Society, RSFS.
Reforesting Scotland.
Association for Environmental Archaeology, AEA.
Archaeology Scotland.
Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Group, SVBWG.
Community Woodlands Association (CWA).
Council for British Archaeology.