Unveiling Solutions from the Past: Environmental archaeology in addressing contemporary challenges

In 2024 The Council for British Archaeology and CIfA's Early Careers Special Interest Group ran an online conference for early career archaeologists and heritage specialists to share their interests and research. The conference was delivered during Youth Day sponsored by the Royal Archaeological Institute as part of the CBA Festival of Archaeology.
Speaker: Stefania Luca
Blurb: In an era defined by formidable challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, and political instability, interdisciplinary approaches have become imperative for devising effective solutions. Despite its underrepresentation, archaeology offers a valuable tool in combating anthropogenic-driven global change. This essay explores the significance of understanding past environmental changes as a foundation for modelling the future amidst uncertainty. Focusing on land change, food procurement, and anthropogenic-driven climate change, it examines case studies from Anatolia, Scandinavia, and Antarctica to underscore the relevance of environmental archaeology. Environmental archaeology provides insights into resilient systems and vulnerable ecosystems by investigating land use patterns, agricultural practices, and climate adaptations of past societies. Agent-based modelling and isotopic analyses shed light on the complex interactions between humans and their environment over time.
Moreover, by studying past communities' strategies for food procurement and soil management, valuable lessons emerge for addressing present-day challenges in agriculture and sustainability. The essay also delves into the role of environmental archaeology in understanding the historical context of anthropogenic-driven climate change, offering perspectives on vulnerability and adaptation across diverse communities. Through a nuanced discussion, it emphasises the importance of integrating archaeological insights into contemporary debates, not only for scientific understanding but also for cultural heritage preservation and community engagement. Ultimately, environmental archaeology serves as a bridge between the past and present, offering practical solutions and enriching our understanding of human-environment interactions in the face of global crises.
Contact email: [e-mail]