EMPyr | Early medieval Pyrotechnologies. Mechanisms and factors of innovations in northwestern Europe

Summary
The present innovation is boosted by the sharing of knowledge and tools. As in the past, these novelties are causing economic and social changes. During the early Middle Ages, between the end of the 7th and the 9th century, northwestern Europe experienced political and social mobility, modifications in the settlement strategy and technical innovations in crafts. By focusing on the glass, ceramic and iron, this project aims to reach the changes in their processes that are still poorly understood as well as the roles of the craftsmen and those of elites. In secondary productions, the “chaînes opératoires” of these pyrotechnologies will be studied. Archaeological and archaeometrical analyses will identify their materials and techniques in order to evaluate where modifications occured. Then, they will be compared in order to grasp the cross-craft interactions and see if these were a trigger for innovation. Aiming to appraise the role of their actors, the four sites chosen concern different social strata (aristocratic villa, pre-urban agglomeration, rural settlement and monastery). All the results of these material studies will be integrated in their socio-economic environment.
At ARSCAN and during a secondment at CEB-IRAMAT, the needed competences will be gathered. A training in iron studies will fulfill a domain of expertise currently lacking in the Benelux and it will be an asset to apply to permanent academic positions. The project also includes experimental archaeology on a site allowing the development of future research projects. A scientific meeting will gather teams working on craft productions in other regions in order to picture the transfers of material and knowledge. All these results will be communicated to mainstream audience, in particular to current craftsmen. In this way, the project intends to bring light to the mechanisms and factors of innovation at the roots of a novel society and it will encourage current creators to do the same.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101022471
Start date: 01-06-2021
End date: 30-05-2025
Total budget - Public funding: 196 707,84 Euro - 196 707,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

The present innovation is boosted by the sharing of knowledge and tools. As in the past, these novelties are causing economic and social changes. During the early Middle Ages, between the end of the 7th and the 9th century, northwestern Europe experienced political and social mobility, modifications in the settlement strategy and technical innovations in crafts. By focusing on the glass, ceramic and iron, this project aims to reach the changes in their processes that are still poorly understood as well as the roles of the craftsmen and those of elites. In secondary productions, the “chaînes opératoires” of these pyrotechnologies will be studied. Archaeological and archaeometrical analyses will identify their materials and techniques in order to evaluate where modifications occured. Then, they will be compared in order to grasp the cross-craft interactions and see if these were a trigger for innovation. Aiming to appraise the role of their actors, the four sites chosen concern different social strata (aristocratic villa, pre-urban agglomeration, rural settlement and monastery). All the results of these material studies will be integrated in their socio-economic environment.
At ARSCAN and during a secondment at CEB-IRAMAT, the needed competences will be gathered. A training in iron studies will fulfill a domain of expertise currently lacking in the Benelux and it will be an asset to apply to permanent academic positions. The project also includes experimental archaeology on a site allowing the development of future research projects. A scientific meeting will gather teams working on craft productions in other regions in order to picture the transfers of material and knowledge. All these results will be communicated to mainstream audience, in particular to current craftsmen. In this way, the project intends to bring light to the mechanisms and factors of innovation at the roots of a novel society and it will encourage current creators to do the same.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2020

Update Date

28-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
MSCA-IF-2020 Individual Fellowships