Assessing the environmental context of past urbanization dynamics using sedimentary archives (CIVES)

Many European cities have a heritage dating back to the Iron Age or Roman times. They have undergone various cycles of economic and ecological change, including crises or collapses linked to social upheaval or environmental problems. Little is known about how the environment or ecology shaped the early dynamics of urbanization in Europe. One of the main objectives of the SNF project CIVES is therefore to close this gap for selected study areas in Switzerland, Italy and Greece. One major mystery, for example, is why southern European cities such as Rome and Athens have continued to exist without interruption for the last 2,700 years, while cities north of the Alps often collapsed and had to be re-founded several times, even though the first wave of city foundations in both areas is of similar age. 

The project will provide new insights into the role of environmental factors (e.g., climate, fire) and ecological factors (e.g. vegetation, biodiversity) in Europe's urbanization dynamics over the last 3,000 years, with a focus on earlier land use activities that link social and natural systems. In addition, we expect to advance our understanding of the impacts of past urbanization on the environment and ecosystems.