The academic community mourns the loss of Professor Emeritus Mike Baillie, renowned for his contributions to Palaeoecology at Queen’s University of Belfast. His passing, after a prolonged illness, was shared through a heartfelt announcement by the QUB – Archaeology at Queen’s via social media, marking the end of an era in the field.
Baillie’s illustrious career at Queen’s Archaeology Department commenced in 1968, marked by his pivotal role in the annual tree-ring chronology project for oaks on the island. His work culminated in the creation of the Belfast-long oak chronology in the 1980s, a monumental achievement spanning 7600 years and serving as a crucial benchmark for radiocarbon dating calibration.
A stalwart supporter of the Ulster Archaeological Society (UAS), Baillie’s engaging lectures and invaluable contributions over the years enriched the field significantly. His pioneering work in dendrochronology is evident through seminal publications like “Tree-Ring Dating and Archaeology” (1982) and “A Slice Through Time: Dendrochronology and Precision Dating” (1995), alongside numerous scientific articles.
QUB – Archaeology at Queen’s posted on Facebook,
“We were deeply saddened by the news that ArcPal’s Professor Emeritus Mike Baillie passed away yesterday after a long illness. Mike first joined the Archaeology Department in Queen’s in 1968 when he was employed to work on the construction of an oak annual tree-ring chronology for the island.“By the 1980s this had become the Belfast long oak chronology which dated back some 7600 years and was a hugely important tool for radiocarbon dating calibration. Mike was a pioneering figure in the world of dendrochronology, publishing many books, including Tree-Ring Dating and Archaeology (1982) and A Slice Through Time: Dendrochronology and Precision Dating (1995) as well as innumerable journal articles in the field.“He was an excellent teacher and science communicator and his later works delved into the world of catastrophes, including Exodus to Arthur: Catastrophic Encounters with Comets (1999); The Celtic Gods: Comets in Irish Mythology (2005; co-authored with Patrick McCafferty) and New Light on the Black Death: The Cosmic Connection (2006).Mike was undoubtedly a brilliant scholar but he had an easy and somewhat irreverent manner that made him hugely inspirational and approachable.“He never took himself too seriously and gave generously of his time. The room brightened up when Mike came in and one could always be guaranteed an entertaining but eclectic story ranging from the halcyon days of Irish archaeology/palaeoecology in the 1960s-70s-80s to details on the latest cosmic interactions with our planet.“Mike will be sorely missed by his colleagues and friends in Archaeology and Palaeoecology and our thoughts are with Deborah and his family at this very sad time.”
Beyond his scholarly pursuits, Baillie explored catastrophes in his later works, delving into topics like cosmic encounters and their implications, as seen in “Exodus to Arthur: Catastrophic Encounters with Comets” (1999) and “New Light on the Black Death: The Cosmic Connection” (2006). Known for his exceptional teaching and adept science communication skills, Baillie was revered for his approachable and inspiring demeanor, effortlessly balancing scholarship with approachability.
We are saddened to share the passing of our great colleague Prof Mike Baillie. Mike’s contribution to archaeology was truly monumental and he was a force within our department for so long. He will be missed, and remembered as a great scholar, kind and incredibly witty man!
— ArcPalQUB (@arcpalqub) November 14, 2023
His presence illuminated every room he entered, characterized by his penchant for sharing captivating stories, ranging from cosmic interactions with Earth to anecdotes from the vibrant era of Irish archaeology and palaeoecology spanning decades.
The family plans to release details regarding Mike Baillie’s obituary and funeral arrangements at a later time, allowing friends, colleagues, and admirers to honor the legacy of a remarkable scholar and storyteller who left an indelible mark on the world of archaeology and science communication.
Categories: News
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
