Historical anatomy: concept and approaches

Abstract

Wood is considered one of the natural resources most used by human cultures. Investigations on the wood species used by human societies throughout history arise separately in different research institutions and different areas of scientific knowledge globally. This work aims to establish and substantiate the concept of historical anatomy as a branch of wood anatomy, focusing on investigations into the cultural use of wood from a historical temporal perspective, with wood anatomy as its main analytical tool. Historical anatomy’s interdisciplinary nature contributes to the convergence of multiple perspectives in studies of the cultural use of wood. This category presents four approaches: heritage, technological, environmental, and conservationist, which engage in dialogue with each other and deepen the understanding of the relationship established between human societies and the historical use of wood in their cultural systems.