Insight into the changes of European agriculture during the age of Baroque and enlightenment: Interdisciplinary survey of manor farmyard Švamberk (Czech Republic)
2024

Changes in European Agriculture During the Baroque and Enlightenment Periods

Sample size: 81892 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Libor Vobejda, Tereza Šálková, Yulia V. Erban Kochergina, Jan Altman, Zuzana Thomová

Primary Institution: Institute of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

Hypothesis

How did the manor farms interact with the environment and contribute to the transformation of agriculture and landscape during the modern era?

Conclusion

The study reveals significant shifts in agricultural practices and timber usage at the Švamberk manor farm, highlighting the introduction of exotic crops and changes in forest management.

Supporting Evidence

  • Plant remains from the Švamberk farmstead indicate the introduction of crops like maize and tobacco from the Americas.
  • Dendrochronological analysis shows changes in timber usage over time, reflecting shifts in forest management.
  • Evidence of exotic species cultivation provides insights into the agricultural practices of early modern Europe.

Takeaway

This study looks at how farming changed in Europe a long time ago, showing that new plants from other places started to be grown and how people used wood for building.

Methodology

The study used dendrochronology and archaeobotanical analysis to date plant remains and timber, examining 99 samples and 81,892 plant macroremains.

Limitations

The study's findings are based on a single site, which may not represent broader agricultural practices across Europe.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40916

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