EXC 2150:  ROOTS – Social, Environmental, and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies

• Subject Area: Ancient Cultures ; Atmospheric Science, Oceanography and Climate Research ; Geography ; Geophysics and Geodesy ; History ; Computer Science ; Microbiology, Virology and Immunology ; Plant Sciences ; Philosophy ; Economics
• Term: since 2019
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 390870439

ROOTS aims to explore the roots of social, environmental, and cultural phenomena and processes that substantially marked past human development in a broad in¬terdisciplinary conceptual framework. Archaeological and historical "laboratories" will be investigated under the basic assumption that humans and environments have deeply shaped each other, creating socio-environmental connectivities which still persist today. A better understanding of interwoven past socio-environmental dynamics will shed light on the "roots" of current challenges and crises under diverse economic, ecological, and social conditions. Currently, society and the environment are subject to events and characterised by structures and processes, which give rise to essential questions about our own role and fragility in the global system, and how to deal with consequences of climate and environmental change, increasing urbanization, social developments, conflict potentials, and the role of stability and mobility in identity processes. The ROOTS research objectives will cover six foci: (1) Environmental hazards and impacts; (2) Dietary constraints and impacts; (3) Knowledge production, technology, and innovation; (4) Population agglomeration and urbanisation; (5) Social differentiation and inequalities; and (6) Conflict and conciliation. The "reflective turn" will enable cross-disciplinary dialogue and enquiries within and between research foci, providing an overarching theoretical frame.New research perspectives within the overall topical framework will be achieved through six new professorships (Geoarchaeology, Knowledge Studies, Social Archaeology, Urban Archaeology, Historical Linguistic Studies, and Socio-Environmental Modelling) oriented within innovative research fields at the interface of humanities, natural, and life sciences. They will expand the already existing broad interdisciplinary expertise of the applicants, providing new bridges between the outlined re¬search field(s) and Kiel University’s priority research area Social, Environmental and Cultural Change (SECC). A ROOTS Young Academy (YA) will enhance research activities, communication, and international collaborations. It will provide excellent young researchers with an attractive space to develop independent and innovative profiles across disciplinary boundaries. Moreover, new research positions will be introduced for Physical Anthropology, Dendroarchaeology, Theories on Human Behaviour, and Integrative Archaeological Survey and Excavation Methodology. New “laboratories” are designed to enable research directions embracing empirical and theoretical approaches. Infrastructural advances will extend existing platforms to support the realisation of novel research.The outlined concept builds on the longstanding experience of the research-oriented "Human Development in Landscapes", and will continue to make Kiel a leading centre for socio-environmental research on past societies.

• DFG Programme: Clusters of Excellence (ExStra)
• Applicant Institution: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
• Participating Institution: IPN - Leibniz-Institut für die Pädagogik der Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik; an der Universität Kiel; Max-Planck-Institut für Evolutionsbiologie; Stiftung Schleswig-Holsteinische Landesmuseen Schloss Gottorf; Stiftung Schleswig-Holsteinische Landesmuseen Schloss Gottorf; Zentrum für Baltische und Skandinavische Archäologie (ZBSA)
• Spokespersons: Professor Dr. Lutz Käppel, from 1/2019 until 12/2020; Professor Dr. Johannes Müller; Professorin Dr. Ilka Parchmann, since 1/2021; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Rabbel
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Hans-Rudolf Bork; Professor Dr. Claus von Carnap-Bornheim; Professorin Dr. Alexandra Erfmeier; Professor Dr. Gerhard Fouquet; Professorin Eva Holtgrewe-Stukenbrock, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Lorenz Kienle; Professorin Dr. Wiebke Kirleis; Professor Dr. Hilmar Klinkott; Professor Dr.-Ing. Reinhard Koch; Professor Dr. Ben Krause-Kyora; Professorin Dr. Cheryl Makarewicz; Professor Dr. Ulrich Müller; Professorin Dr. Almut Nebel; Professor Dr. Konrad Ott; Professor Dr. John Michael Peterson; Professorin Dr. Henny Piezonka; Professor Dr. Martin F. Quaas; Professor Dr. Ralph Schneider; Professor Dr. Ingmar Unkel; Privatdozentin Dr. Mara Weinelt