Project description DEENESFRITPL Shell middens and land management provide new insights into the late Neolithic period The later fourth and third millennium BC represent a period of transition from a hunting, gathering and fishing economy to a primarily agricultural way of life in Northwest and Northeast Europe. However, several recent findings indicate that this was not a one-way process, particularly in coastal regions. Two archaeological phenomena often overlooked by scholars reflect this complexity: the (shell) midden and the arable field. The EU-funded MicroTRASH project will therefore study both phenomena from a microscopic and a biochemical perspective. By using micromorphology and lipid biomarkers to shed light on midden accumulation, shellfish consumption and arable land management during this period, researchers hope to gain a clearer understanding of subsistence practices. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The later fourth and third millennium BC in Northwest and Northeast Europe are a period characterised by important social changes, such as the migration of peoples, the emergence of new hierarchies, new ways of treating the dead, and intensifying exchange networks. At the same time this period often represents the final stage of a long-term economical process, the transition from a hunting, gathering and fishing economy to a primarily agricultural way of life. Several recent findings however show that this is not a one-way process, and especially in coastal regions a much more complex picture must be envisaged, even for this final stage of the Neolithic. Two kinds of archaeological phenomena, both often overlooked in scholarly debates, characterise this complexity: the (shell)midden and the arable field. Within MicroTRASH, these two phenomena are studied from a microscopic and a biochemical perspective. The scientific methods of micromorphology and lipid biomarkers enable a detailed disentangling of midden accumulation, shellfish consumption and arable land management (including manuring and irrigation practices) during this period. Additional use of absolute dating techniques and statistical modelling generate an increased temporal framework. This allows for a better understanding of subsistence practices, their temporality and the interplay between agriculture and shellfish gathering. In doing so, MicroTRASH is providing a better picture of coastal communities and their particular ways of life in Northwest and Northeast Europe amidst of the large-scale social and cultural transformations. Fields of science agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesfisheriesengineering and technologycivil engineeringwater engineeringirrigationnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipidsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture Keywords Coastal archaeology archaeological science Neolithic archaeological soil micromorphology prehistoric subsistence Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2019 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN Net EU contribution € 175 572,48 Address Broerstraat 5 9712CP Groningen Netherlands See on map Region Noord-Nederland Groningen Overig Groningen Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 175 572,48