Archaeological research, including archaeobotanical studies, is key to our understanding of the past and makes several important contributions. For one thing, archaeological finds help us reconstruct human history and understand how societies have evolved over time. Archaeobotanical studies are also crucial to understanding the origins and evolution of agriculture. Analysing ancient plant remains can help shed light on both the agricultural practices used and the crops grown. It can also offer insight into ancient societies’ adaptability to changing environmental conditions, which has important implications for food security, especially in the current context of climate change. Archaeobotanical remains additionally provide valuable information about the historical biodiversity of plants and their relationship with human communities. This can have implications for species conservation and enhance our understanding of the interactions between humans and their environment. 

Archaeological finds help us reconstruct human history and understand how societies have evolved over time

Despite these significant contributions, archaeological research does sometimes receive less attention or funding than research in other scientific fields. Nevertheless, its importance to understanding our history and to informing present-day decisions, for instance, concerning the sustainable management of natural resources, highlights the need to value and support this kind of research, including archaeobotanical studies. 

It has. The first year of work was very fruitful, and we can be pleased with our accomplishments to date. In 2023, we added 9,342 archaeological sites in Brazil and 9,317 in Colombia through the automatic analysis of pre-existing data. We also secured the inclusion of 1,796 sites that had never been published, that is, whose data were not available.

MAPHSA aims to develop an open-access database for pre-Colombian archaeological sites in Brazil and Colombia. This database is designed to integrate, from within the project itself, both existing data and new finds, which are detected using remote sensing technologies and machine-learning predictions. It uses open-source software, such as Arches and QGIS, aligned with the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles. 

We have successfully completed the initial data processing for the machine learning. Using data taken from publications, we mapped archaeological sites in rainforest areas with the aim of developing the dataset on which to train the machine learning and, eventually, automating site detection. We also plan to integrate data from deforested areas, including structures such as geoglyphs, which will be used in conjunction with historical satellite images to enable the assessment of heritage deterioration. Additionally, we are designing a proof-of-concept model with a view to using remote sensing to model the habitats of two important trees in the Eastern Lowlands of the Amazon Basin and explore their relationship with current human settlements in the Colombian Amazon. 

Our field validation efforts were focused on two areas in Colombia. We used surveys and satellite images to cover a 6 km²  area in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region, resulting in the documentation of 298 new archaeological sites. We then carried out three additional excavations to enhance our chronological understanding of this region. Separately, we surveyed some 5 km² in the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta region, uncovering the presence of eight pre-Hispanic shell middens (geological deposits of shells and other mollusc and fish remains). Finally, our partnership with Magdalena University in Colombia focused on training indigenous communities, especially around the Línea Negra [Black Line] surrounding the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region, on the work done in the area and the potential benefits for the communities. 

Cultural heritage and knowledge are fundamental to the identity of communities and societies. Preserving these cultural expressions helps maintain a living connection with the past, whilst strengthening identity and the sense of belonging. This perspective contributes to global cultural diversity. Each community brings unique perspectives, traditions and practices that enrich the world’s cultural heritage. Heritage also acts as a means of transmitting history and traditions down through the generations, ensuring that this cultural diversity is not lost and that future generations understand their heritage. Finally, cultural heritage can play a role in sustainable development, by contributing to cultural tourism and the local economy. Appropriate heritage preservation can be a source of income and employment, without compromising cultural integrity. 

Appropriate heritage preservation can be a source of income and employment, without compromising cultural integrity

In short, detecting and preserving cultural heritage and knowledge is essential to maintain the diversity and richness of humanity’s cultural heritage, whilst also promoting understanding, respect and sustainable development over time. 

How effective policies to preserve cultural heritage are can vary considerably across countries and regions. In many places, governments and authorities have implemented policies and measures to combat threats and ensure heritage preservation. These policies may include enacting heritage protection laws, allocating funding for conservation and restoration, implementing educational programmes and collaborating with international organizations. 

International cooperation and continuous engagement are essential to tackling the challenges and ensuring the long-term preservation of cultural heritage

However, there are also significant challenges, such as insufficient resources, pressure from urban development, or looting and trafficking of cultural objects, as well as natural disasters and armed conflicts, which can threaten the integrity of the heritage. 

Some countries have adopted effective policies to preserve cultural heritage, although the situation can vary widely. International cooperation and continuous engagement are essential to tackling the challenges and ensuring the long-term preservation of cultural heritage.

Technology plays a crucial role in heritage preservation research, through certain key characteristics, the value it delivers and its usefulness. For example, technological ‘precision’ enables the compilation of detailed data on the different heritage ‘realities’ (e.g. archaeological artefacts and sites), which is essential for documentation and preservation. Today, new technologies enable two- and three-dimensional mapping and modelling, which not only helps in the field of research, but is also essential for cataloguing, virtual preservation or the creation of digital replicas of at-risk heritage. These technologies, together with tools such as smartphone applications, augmented reality or online platforms, can be used to disseminate information about cultural heritage and educate the public, whilst at the same time promoting awareness and involvement. 

Technology can play a role in security and in helping to prevent looting

The technological approach has one big advantage over other approaches: it can automate repetitive processes and speed up data collection and analysis. This enables more efficient research, increased knowledge and the timely implementation of preservation strategies. A clear example is the aforementioned MAPHSA project, funded by the Arcadia Fund, in which the volume of data to be processed (the heritage of Colombia and part of Brazil) is enormous and would be all but impossible to collect and assess manually. Finally, technology can play a role in security and in helping to prevent looting: advanced monitoring systems, including satellite monitoring, and tracking technologies can protect archaeological sites from illegal activities and activities related to climate change or the illegal exploitation of the environment (e.g. forest burning in the Amazon, which destroys not only the forest itself, but also all the heritage preserved in it). 

Yes, artificial intelligence can be compatible with sustainability and social commitment when it is developed, implemented and used ethically and responsibly. For example, AI can analyse large datasets to predict heritage-related patterns or, for instance, climate patterns that could facilitate the adaptation to environmental changes. This is crucial both to tackling climate-change challenges and to promoting sustainability. The analysis of large datasets is valuable for heritage identification and management, which is the focus of the MAPHSA project, but also in sectors such as education or sustainable development. It also helps enable informed decision-making. 

The Centre for Digital Humanities, which operates as an inter-faculty centre at UPF, is already a reality. It started off the new year launching its website. The centre connects the fields of humanities, social sciences and technology. It aims to play a fundamental role in knowledge exchange and to promote innovation, in both research and teaching and training. The UPF-DH aspires to be an intellectual centre for exploring the theory and practices of digital humanities. To this end, it will provide UPF users with the possibility of carrying out projects, as well as valuable resources, such as relevant literature, research software and training. This latter area will be targeted at students and researchers seeking to improve their use of digital and computational methods or tools in their work.

The centre is already active and organizing workshops. We hope to open a window soon, too, in collaboration with the university’s library, which is an essential part of the project’s dynamics. 

Yes, digital humanities can play an important role in the Planetary Wellbeing project, as well as support other similar initiatives. The intersection of humanities and technology can be key to addressing the challenges of planetary wellbeing. The first and perhaps most important way in which digital humanities can play a key role in this initiative is by facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, providing platforms and tools to integrate data and research methods from different disciplines. This is essential to address the complex challenges related to planetary wellbeing. The incorporation of digital humanities into the planetary wellbeing dynamics reflects the understanding that technology and human sciences can work side by side to address environmental and social challenges holistically. UPF can leverage this convergence to promote meaningful initiatives in this field. 

Technology and human sciences can work side by side to address environmental and social challenges holistically

The prolonged drought we have experienced in recent years underscores the importance of recognizing water as a limited resource and urges us to reconsider our practices and policies to adapt to climate change. Public awareness of water scarcity and the need to adapt to climate change has clearly grown significantly. The discussion surrounding water as an invaluable resource has gained prominence on the global agenda, as evidenced at the recent COP28 in Dubai. This is a positive step. However, awareness alone is not enough: concrete and determined action is needed to address these challenges effectively. 

Archaeology also allows us to identify past climate changes and how communities adapted to them

Archaeology can offer a unique and valuable perspective to understand the current water crisis and define specific actions, as well as provide insights into how past societies coped with and adapted water systems to similar conditions. Studying ancient civilizations can reveal innovative and sustainable water management systems. The irrigation techniques and strategies for water management in general implemented by past societies can serve as inspiration for water management strategies today. By understanding past agricultural practices and their impact on water use, we have the opportunity to mine them for inspiration to develop contemporary agricultural approaches that reduce pressure on water resources. Archaeology also allows us to identify past climate changes and how communities adapted to them. Such records can provide knowledge about adaptation strategies that could be relevant to current climate variations and water scarcity. 

In short, archaeology can inspire us and teach us valuable lessons about historical water management, adaptation to changing climate conditions and strategies for building resilient societies. This knowledge can be thoughtfully applied to address the current water crisis and develop sustainable and effective solutions for the future. 

We should undoubtedly pay more attention to the historical experiences of different civilisations in terms of adapting agriculture to new contexts. Agricultural history offers us a unique perspective on how past communities managed resources, addressed similar challenges to those we face today and developed sustainable agricultural practices. 

Despite the wealth of knowledge to be gleaned from these experiences, there is sometimes a certain reluctance to look to the past and appreciate its usefulness. This reluctance may be the result of a mindset focused on modernity, where there is a tendency to rely more on contemporary technological solutions than traditional practices. The rapid evolution of technology can also create the perception that ancient agricultural practices are obsolete and simply not suited to the complexity of today’s world. But ancient civilizations developed adaptive and sustainable agricultural methods that enabled them to survive over time. Studying these historical experiences does not mean replicating past practices step for step but adapting and combining this knowledge with modern technologies to address contemporary challenges more effectively. 

This reluctance to look to the past can limit our ability to learn from the accumulated wisdom of centuries

So, this reluctance to look to the past can limit our ability to learn from the accumulated wisdom of centuries, causing us to miss out on opportunities to develop more equitable and sustainable agricultural approaches. Integrating traditional methods with modern innovations could lead to more resilient and environmentally friendly agricultural systems. In this sense, we must recognize the intrinsic value of the lessons (agricultural) history has to offer. 

Changing the agricultural system is imperative to ensure the future food supply and stave off the potential collapse of the global food system. The steady growth of the world’s population will significantly increase food demand in the coming decades. Current agricultural systems, some of which rely heavily on intensive practices and non-renewable resources, may not be able to meet this growing demand sustainably. Climate change adds an additional layer of urgency. Changing climate patterns, extreme weather events and changes in water availability negatively impact the stability of existing agricultural systems. Adapting to these changing conditions is crucial for the resilience of agriculture on a global scale. Current intensive agricultural practices have contributed to problems such as biodiversity loss, soil degradation and water pollution. Shifting to more sustainable practices is essential to preserve natural resources and mitigate the negative impact on ecosystems. 

Changes in the agricultural system are imperative to guaranteeing future food security and preventing collapses in the global food system

As for localized adaptation, every region of the planet clearly has unique conditions in terms of climate, land and available resources. Finding agricultural models adapted to the specific characteristics of each region is thus essential. What works well in one part of the world may not be directly applicable in another. In this context, archaeology emerges as a valuable tool, thanks to its ability to provide information on a local scale. This characteristic is especially important in the creation and diversification of agricultural models. Such an approach would enable consideration and adaptation to each region’s specific particularities and, thus, help maximize efficiency and sustainability in agricultural practice. 

In short, changes in the agricultural system are imperative to guaranteeing future food security and preventing collapses in the global food system. Adapting to changing conditions and customizing agricultural models to local characteristics are likewise crucial steps towards a more sustainable and resilient agriculture.

The responsibility to promote agricultural sustainability and food security lies with multiple actors, each with specific roles. Regulation and governance are essential elements to steer efforts towards a more sustainable agricultural system, whilst agribusinesses and investors have a responsibility to adopt sustainable business practices. Investment in research and development of sustainable agricultural technologies is also a crucial aspect. 

Local communities, especially farmers, have a key role to play in terms of adopting sustainable agricultural practices, sharing knowledge and participating in resource management initiatives. Likewise, academic and research institutions are vital to generate knowledge and innovative technology. Agricultural education, often provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), also plays a vital role in training new generations in sustainable practices. 

It is essential to find solutions that balance economic interests with the need to preserve natural resources and ensure long-term food security

As for obstacles, vested interests can pose a significant challenge. Agricultural systems rooted in industrial practices or linked to established business models are often reluctant to change. Short-term economic interests can clash with the need to adopt more sustainable practices and foster resilience. Overcoming these obstacles requires a collaborative approach and consensus-building. It is essential to find solutions that balance economic interests with the need to preserve natural resources and ensure long-term food security. Key strategies include awareness-raising, education and promoting incentives for sustainability, as well as learning from lessons from the past. These collective approaches are fundamental to advance towards more responsible and sustainable agricultural practices. 

The cultural factor plays a vital role in agricultural transformation processes. Culture, which comprises the customs, beliefs, values and practices shared by a community, exerts a significant influence on the perception, adoption and adaptation to new agricultural practices. A clear example of this is the presence of traditional knowledge passed down through the generations in agricultural culture, which can both facilitate and hinder the adoption of innovative agricultural techniques. 

Understanding and respecting these cultural dimensions is fundamental to the successful design and implementation of sustainable agricultural changes

Agriculture, which is often rooted in a community’s cultural identity and traditions, can generate diverse perceptions of agricultural changes. Such changes may be interpreted as threats to deep-rooted identities or as opportunities to preserve and adapt traditions to the demands of new realities.

Understanding and respecting these cultural dimensions is fundamental to the successful design and implementation of sustainable agricultural changes. Programmes and policies have to accommodate cultural diversity, foster active community engagement and respect local dynamics to ensure effective acceptance and adoption of new agricultural practices. This culturally sensitive approach will contribute not only to the adopted initiatives’ effectiveness, but also to promoting agricultural practices that respect and enrich local communities.