The participants of the Anthropogenic Dark Earth Colloquium in front of reconstructed Viking houses in Hedeby. Photo: Paweł Cembrzyński

From October 4th to October 7th 2022, the Anthropogenic Dark Earth Colloquium (ADEC), as part of the overarching interdisciplinary project 3DARK DEPTH of the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS, took place in Kiel and Hedeby. Anthropogenic Dark Earth describes dark-coloured anthropogenic soils that are found in various contexts. Usually, they show a great thickness as well as a high content of organic matter and a homogenous structure. Nevertheless, the term is not accurately determined yet and the phenomenon is lacking full understanding. Therefore, the colloquium aimed to bring together leading specialists from different fields to document the current state of international research, to develop the research and to formulate common standards on the analyses of the phenomenon Dark Earth. On the initiative of Jens Schneeweiß, Eileen Eckmeier and Paweł Cembrzyński (all Cluster ROOTS), specialists from ten countries could participate. 

Within the colloquium, which was also held hybrid to reach a broader public and allow more external specialists to participate, the researchers were able to present and discuss case studies out of different temporal and spatial contexts, exchange research results and to connect to other Experst. 

A special highlight was the public evening lecture by Prof. em. Richard Macphail from University College London. Particularly fruitful was also the exchange between the leading scientists in this field and young researchers, who were well represented with a poster session and own presentations.

Visits to the Viking town of Hedeby and the old town of the Hanseatic city of Lübeck, both UNESCO World Heritage listed sights related to Dark Earth, complemented the conference. "We are particularly pleased that the initiative for this colloquium came from the archaeological side. They are the ones who have to deal with the dark layers in an excavation. Awareness of the Dark Earth phenomenon helps to ensure that these valuable archives receive more attention before they are destroyed", Richard Macphail pointed out. 

A joint publication to support just that will be developed by the colloquium participants.

The Colloquium was initiated by Jens Schneeweiß (left), Eileen Eckmeier (right) and Paweł Cembrzyński (all Cluster ROOTS). Photo:  Photo: Paweł Cembrzyński

The Colloquium was also held hybrid to reach a broader public and allow more external specialists to participate. Photo: Paweł Cembrzyński

Experst from ten countries participated in the ADEC. Photo: Photo: Paweł Cembrzyński

A visit to the Hanseatic city of Lübeck was also part of the programme. Photo: Caterina Schneider