Archaeology and History of Woodlands – Human-Tree Interaction through Time

Nelle, Oliver and Fostikov, Aleksandra and Moullou, Dorina and Ntinou, Maria (2026) Archaeology and History of Woodlands – Human-Tree Interaction through Time. In: 32nd EAA Annual Meeting (Athens, 2026) – Abstract Book. European Association of Archaeologists. ISBN 978-80-88441-12-0

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Abstract

Woodlands have evolved under human influence for millenia, with the availability of tree products playing a pivotal role in shaping the development of human societies. The interaction of humans with trees and woodland is a long and regionally diverse story. Although the topic has a rich history of research, it increasingly requires more detailed regional and synthetic investigations and truly interdisciplinary approaches, with innovative combinations of methods and archives. In this session, we focus on combining archaeological material and written or iconographic evidence, alongside oral history and ethnographic data. The complementation of archaeological finds and features -waterlogged wood, timber in historic buildings, charcoal, tar, carpological remains- with sources from historical sciences such as texts, maps, and iconography offers unique potential to explore the interrelatedness of woodland products, their uses and their analysis. Knowing the consequences of woodland use through time is essential for understanding current ecosystems and contributes to contemporary debates on biodiversity and climate change. After a session at the EAA 2024 on PoTaRCh (Network of Forest by-products Potash, Tar, Resin, Charcoal in Europe, EU-COST Action 22155) and the 2025 session focusing on the connection of wood and charcoal with metallurgy, we now stress the collaboration between archaeologists, historians and environmental scientists. This session expands the PoTaRCh network’s initiative to promote transdisciplinary research on forest by-products across Europe. It aims to bring together researchers from different periods, regions, and disciplines to examine how human activities have shaped and been shaped by woodland ecosystems. We seek to identify long-term trajectories in woodland exploitation and perception by integrating archaeological, historical, ethnographic, and ecological perspectives. We welcome contributions on wood procurement and trade, management, charcoal and tar production, resin extraction, timber construction, palaeoecology, and the symbolic or ritual role of trees

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