Environmental Archaeology Through Tree Rings

Dendrochronology as a Tool for Reconstructing Ancient Human–Environment Interactions

Bibliographic Data

ID13124841
AuthorsLucian Dîncă (0000-0003-0399-3688, National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry "Marin Drăcea"), Cristinel Constandache (National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry "Marin Drăcea", corresponding author), Gabriel Murariu (0000-0002-7107-2007, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati), Maria-Mihaela Antofie (0000-0001-6126-0824, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu), Tiberiu Draghici (0009-0008-7763-7380, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu), Iulian Alexandru Bratu (0000-0002-8557-4008, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume8
Issue11
Pages482-482
Publication date2025-11-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHeritage (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2571-9408 • E-ISSN: 2571-9408
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/heritage8110482
OpenAlexW4416322199
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited132

Dendrochronology, the study of tree-ring growth patterns, is a powerful tool for reconstructing past human–environment interactions. This review examines its role within archaeology, focusing on how tree-ring studies contribute to dating wooden artifacts, reconstructing past climates, and understanding timber use in historical buildings and cultural heritage. To explore these applications, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of studies indexed in Web of Science. Our results reveal a marked increase in dendrochronological research over the past 15 years, alongside a broadening of its impact across related fields such as anthropology and environmental sciences. We classify the literature into major thematic areas, including methodological developments, historical and environmental disruptions, art and architecture, mining history, and the ancient timber trade. By highlighting both the advantages and limitations of dendrochronology—such as issues of reference coverage, the need for non-destructive sampling, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration—we show how this approach extends beyond archaeology to illuminate wider cultural and environmental contexts. Ultimately, our findings demonstrate the significance of dendrochronology not only for understanding ancient civilizations and cultural heritage, but also for tracing the complex interactions between humans and natural resources across time

Cultural landscape · Dendrochronology · Environmental history · Historical ecology · Natural (archaeology · Thematic map · Tree (set theory · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Tree-ring climate responses