Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CONCHA (The construction of early modern global Cities and oceanic networks in the Atlantic: An approach via OceaN’s Cultural HeritAge)
Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2023-10-31
CONCHA (Portuguese for "shell") aimed to discuss the concept and characterization of coastal cities around the Atlantic rim from the 15th through the 18th centuries. It did so through the study of the conditions and expectations of such settlements and shore communities, with special attention to European settlement strategies in different regions as well as to local ecological, social, and cultural features and constraints (themes addressed across WPs). It examined maritime trade and commercial activities, and the building of social communities, with special attention to the role of women in conducting business and the patronage of art and material culture (themes addressed in WP5, WP6 and WP2). It also analysed the importance of shipyards and shipbuilding to urban development and scientific discovery and technological development (themes addressed under WP5, WP6 and WP1). Finally, the project studied the exploitation of marine resources, their uses, trading, and impact in coastal settlements, their importance in natural history, medicine, material culture, and the consumption of luxury goods (addressed mainly in WP1, WP5 and WP6).
Concretization of the main goal and specific objectives has been fully achieved through secondments and respective tasks and deliverables, according to what was foreseen in each WP of the project. We also underline a cross-functional integration between tasks and secondments under different WPs, allowing researchers from the WPs to contribute to the outcomes of one another; team members from the different institutions travelled to different countries and sectors of activity as expected. This allowed for a great individual and collective enrichment, both of personal experiences and professional expertise, as well as to the establishment of connections and new networks between institutions, countries, languages and cultures. The obtained results have gone beyond academic and technical spheres to the public at large in many regions of the network. A common ground was built through CONCHA and all the outputs truly resulted from a joint effort meaning that collaboration was effective and leveraged new, ongoing and future initiatives.
In short, the project allowed the construction of a "sea story" in which the ocean is a fundamental part of history, heritage and memory in an integrated and cross-cultural manner. The project constructed a broad view on the oceans' past in the early modern age, connecting Atlantic hubs and biogeographic regions and paying attention to all relevant actors, including natural species and ecosystems.
Concretization of the main goal and specific objectives has been fully achieved through secondments and respective tasks and deliverables, according to what was foreseen in each WP of the project. We also underline a cross-functional integration between tasks and secondments under different WPs, allowing researchers from the WPs to contribute to the outcomes of one another; team members from the different institutions travelled to different countries and sectors of activity as expected. This allowed for a great individual and collective enrichment, both of personal experiences and professional expertise, as well as to the establishment of connections and new networks between institutions, countries, languages and cultures. The obtained results have gone beyond academic and technical spheres to the public at large in many regions of the network. A common ground was built through CONCHA and all the outputs truly resulted from a joint effort meaning that collaboration was effective and leveraged new, ongoing and future initiatives.
In short, the project allowed the construction of a "sea story" in which the ocean is a fundamental part of history, heritage and memory in an integrated and cross-cultural manner. The project constructed a broad view on the oceans' past in the early modern age, connecting Atlantic hubs and biogeographic regions and paying attention to all relevant actors, including natural species and ecosystems.
CONCHA work to understand the Atlantic seaports of the Early Modern Age was sourced on History, Maritime Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Environmental Humanities, based on a multidisciplinary approach. Study regions ranged from Europe to Africa and America, including the Atlantic Islands.
Historical and archival research about seaports and cities was made in national and regional archives and libraries, and included written and iconographic sources on environment, economic activities, resources exploitation, archaeological remains and intangible heritage.
In Santiago Island (CV) archaeological fieldwork allowed to identify, map and record different contexts and materials, land and underwater, documenting the intense passage of ships in the port, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, revealing a strong connection with the African diaspora connected with the slave trade. In Cartagena de Indias (CO) material studies were made to determine consumption patterns and address societal changes resulting from the contacts between America, Europe and Africa. In São Tomé (STP), pioneer archaeological research aimed to map human occupation from the 16th to 19th centuries. Archaeological surveys were also made in Bahia and Alagoas regions (BR), aiming to record maritime cultural landscapes, including the exploitation of marine resources. Also, a strong focus was given to early modern whaling history, in different Atlantic spaces, including both continental and insular regions. Fishing and hunting practices of other marine species, namely manatees, were also conducted increasing knowledge about human impact on marine extractions and animal agency. Intangible heritage was addressed through recording of different cultural, symbolic and religious manifestations. Recording of seascapes and ways of living the sea was made, prioritising the visual study on the memory and identity of maritime landscapes and marine ecosystems.
CONCHA ensured a strong component of education, developing and implementing educational activities and informing about the need of safeguarding natural and cultural heritage and thus significantly contributing for ocean literacy.
Historical and archival research about seaports and cities was made in national and regional archives and libraries, and included written and iconographic sources on environment, economic activities, resources exploitation, archaeological remains and intangible heritage.
In Santiago Island (CV) archaeological fieldwork allowed to identify, map and record different contexts and materials, land and underwater, documenting the intense passage of ships in the port, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, revealing a strong connection with the African diaspora connected with the slave trade. In Cartagena de Indias (CO) material studies were made to determine consumption patterns and address societal changes resulting from the contacts between America, Europe and Africa. In São Tomé (STP), pioneer archaeological research aimed to map human occupation from the 16th to 19th centuries. Archaeological surveys were also made in Bahia and Alagoas regions (BR), aiming to record maritime cultural landscapes, including the exploitation of marine resources. Also, a strong focus was given to early modern whaling history, in different Atlantic spaces, including both continental and insular regions. Fishing and hunting practices of other marine species, namely manatees, were also conducted increasing knowledge about human impact on marine extractions and animal agency. Intangible heritage was addressed through recording of different cultural, symbolic and religious manifestations. Recording of seascapes and ways of living the sea was made, prioritising the visual study on the memory and identity of maritime landscapes and marine ecosystems.
CONCHA ensured a strong component of education, developing and implementing educational activities and informing about the need of safeguarding natural and cultural heritage and thus significantly contributing for ocean literacy.
CONCHA used an integrative approach that lowers the barriers between the human, the social and the natural sciences; multiplies the learning capacity of many excellent research environments; and enables knowledge transfer and co-production among researchers and other societal actors. Moreover, the transnational and cross-cultural structure of CONCHA, and the reflective processes of the different WPs, contributed to a much-needed global understanding of the human-ocean system in the past and consequences on present-day and future societal and environmental issues. The aim was to channel expertise from the human and social sciences in a dialogue with the natural sciences by confronting societal, cultural and governmental framing of environmental issues. CONCHA delivered all the impact goals proposed.
CONCHA supported co-production of coastal and marine environmental literacy to improve societal resilience in the face of change. Aligned and inspired by the Green Deal and the Ocean Decade, CONCHA developed educational actions towards a sustainable use of marine resources (SDG 14). Besides, actions developed by different partners contributed to address the need for a clean and healthy ocean, to protect biodiversity and safeguard natural and cultural ocean heritage. Joint team efforts have approached society, academics, associations and institutions in heritage and collective memory preservation (SDG 11). Partners worked together to collect and preserve common tangible and intangible cultural heritage informing and integrating local stakeholders in coordinated actions.
Collaborations during CONCHA contributed to diversifying the researchers networks and academic fingerprints, in a unique way. Secondments widened the researchers careers' perspectives, by increasing their know-how through the integration in different teams and learning new methods of work and cooperation. Innovation and the use of digital technologies has also been a factor of differentiation. Advanced studies were promoted, opening future career perspectives in research, and the possibility to access more funding programs. Within the project, PhD and MA thesis were conducted. Several scientific and dissemination outputs were delivered through the publication of reports, book chapters, papers, videos and other audiovisual materials.
CONCHA researchers engagement contributed to the development of collaborations between partners that leveraged new science with international recognition: the ERC Synergy Grant 4-OCEANS was granted to a consortium that includes TCD and NOVA, and the EEA Grants H-Whale was granted to consortium including NOVA and OMA, among other applications and joint collaborations.
CONCHA supported co-production of coastal and marine environmental literacy to improve societal resilience in the face of change. Aligned and inspired by the Green Deal and the Ocean Decade, CONCHA developed educational actions towards a sustainable use of marine resources (SDG 14). Besides, actions developed by different partners contributed to address the need for a clean and healthy ocean, to protect biodiversity and safeguard natural and cultural ocean heritage. Joint team efforts have approached society, academics, associations and institutions in heritage and collective memory preservation (SDG 11). Partners worked together to collect and preserve common tangible and intangible cultural heritage informing and integrating local stakeholders in coordinated actions.
Collaborations during CONCHA contributed to diversifying the researchers networks and academic fingerprints, in a unique way. Secondments widened the researchers careers' perspectives, by increasing their know-how through the integration in different teams and learning new methods of work and cooperation. Innovation and the use of digital technologies has also been a factor of differentiation. Advanced studies were promoted, opening future career perspectives in research, and the possibility to access more funding programs. Within the project, PhD and MA thesis were conducted. Several scientific and dissemination outputs were delivered through the publication of reports, book chapters, papers, videos and other audiovisual materials.
CONCHA researchers engagement contributed to the development of collaborations between partners that leveraged new science with international recognition: the ERC Synergy Grant 4-OCEANS was granted to a consortium that includes TCD and NOVA, and the EEA Grants H-Whale was granted to consortium including NOVA and OMA, among other applications and joint collaborations.