Events
The Environmental Change in Pre-History (ECiP) network brought together archaeologists and climate scientists with expertise in the early and mid Holocene for two workshops.
Workshop 1
Location: School of World Art and Museology Studies, University of East Anglia
Date: 25th-26th February 2011
In the first workshop participants reviewed the archaeological and environmental data relating to the 6th millennium BP in the wider Mediterranean region, and how these data have been interpreted, particularly with respect to the role of climatic and environmental changes in the development of human societies. The aim was to assess what data were currently available and what could be said about links between climatic, environmental and cultural change based on existing data, and to identify data gaps and needs. The correlations and synchronisms were not a perfect fit but all agreed that climate during the long 6th millennium was anything but benign and must have impacted upon societies to various degrees. The environmental scientists were therefore largely seeking confirmation from the archaeologists that their findings could be supported by the archaeological evidence.
Workshop 2
Location: School of World Art and Museology Studies, University of East Anglia
Date: 10th-11th June 2011
The second workshop focussed specifically on solving problems to do with demonstrating a causal relationship between climate change on the one hand and cultural transitions/shifts on the other. Network members presented summaries of results of partnerships arising from the first workshop, investigated in more detail gaps and inconsistencies in data sets, chronological disparities and contradictory evidence, examined ways in which existing archaeological, environmental, palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic data might be integrated and identifed future partnerships, links and research projects.
Achievements
To some degree archaeologists were able to provide evidence that correlated with the climate record, particularly in some regions where abandonments and settlement shifts were broadly contemporaneous with specific climate events, for example in Cyprus and parts of the Near East and North Africa. Most archaeologists agreed, however, that archaeological evidence is much more complicated than the climate evidence and notoriously difficult to interpret.
The core network group are planning to produce a position paper in order to apply for further funding for the project.
Project web page: http://ecip.wordpress.com/
Award details
Duration: July 2010 - October 2011
Principal Investigator:
Dr Joanne Clarke
Co-Investigator:
Nick Brooks, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Higher Education Institution:
School of World Art Studies, University of East Anglia
Outcomes
Related links