The ecosystem services framework in archaeology (and vice versa)

Abstract

Economics, ecology and archaeology study various aspects of resource utilisation and mobilisation, differing in the studied systems, objects and currencies. However, the three disciplines have developed mostly independently, resulting in limited dialogue among them. Emergent fields such as ecological economics and environmental archaeology are now linking the three disciplines and promoting dialogue among them, but a theoretical framework that links all three disciplines at once is missing. I propose that ecosystem services (ES) can serve as such a theoretical framework. Moreover, after an ES‐centred framework establishes, it will be capable of further evolving – independently of ES—into a unified superdiscipline, relieving boundaries among disciplines. To demonstrate this potential, I present some examples of archaeology‐ES linkages, relating to the past, present and future. I show, in general, how archaeology studies past ES and informs us on current ES, as well as how ES benefit archaeological practice. Thus, I demonstrate the strong interface between archaeology and ES, and how it can promote the dialogue among the three disciplines, provide them with new practical tools, and resolve theoretical issues as the sustainability of ancient societies and anthropocentricity and monetisation of ES. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Ecology meets archaeology: Past, present and future vegetation‐derived ecosystems services from the Nuragic Sardinia (1700–580 BCE)

“…Additionally, this is in line with Grove & Rackham's theory (Grove & Rackham, 2001), stating that the present character of the Mediterranean landscape was likely achieved prior to many written records through a combination of increasing aridity and Bronze Age clearances between 3000-1000 BCE. In light of the sustainable and long-term management that can possibly be traced back to the Nuragic civilization, these agro-silvo-pastoral landscapes also represent cultural ES suppliers of important spiritual and cultural values (Katz, 2022). Crowded with nuraghi, they provide a marked sense of place and identity for Sardinia inhabitants, which consider the Nuragic civilization, together with their heritage, as the foundation of the Sardinian feeling of historical and cultural identity (Frongia, 2012).…”

“…Recently, Katz (2022) claimed that incorporating archaeological knowledge in ES (and vice versa) would set better theoretical and knowledge‐based frameworks for understanding human resource management and utilization, human impact on the environment and sustainable natural resource management. Within the context of long‐term socio‐ecological dynamics, an ES‐archaeology nexus could offer decision‐makers lessons from the past and a broader perspective of sustainability (Guerry et al, 2015; López de la Lama et al, 2021).…”

“…Within the context of long‐term socio‐ecological dynamics, an ES‐archaeology nexus could offer decision‐makers lessons from the past and a broader perspective of sustainability (Guerry et al, 2015; López de la Lama et al, 2021). Finally, this approach would open new avenues for ecology, economy and archaeology, offering archaeology a better understanding of the environmental settings and subsistence of past human societies and providing ecology and economy with a long‐term perspective on human‐environment interactions (Katz, 2022).…”

Plant Diversity in Archaeological Sites and Its Bioindication Values for Nature Conservation: Assessments in the UNESCO Site Etruscan Necropolis of Tarquinia (Italy)

“…In some instances, it has been observed that the latter could even quadruple in number compared to other humanmodified contexts, where they are often threatened [29,[32][33][34][35][36]. Furthermore, vegetation cover may positively influence the conservation of monuments, as in the case of several hypogeal structures, via maintaining constant microclimatic conditions and thus limiting Sustainability 2023, 15, 16469 2 of 22 deterioration phenomena mainly due to water evaporation and phenomena of salt efflorescence [14,37,38]. Moreover, vegetation can provide interesting tools to define a preventive conservation plan, thereby reducing the weathering effect, protecting the monument and contributing to their conservation against aggressive weathering agents [39,40].…”