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
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.
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 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.