Project Leader: Dr. hab. Andrzej Pydyn, PhD, UMK
Cultural phenomena from the past can be analyzed from the perspective of various academic disciplines, which allow a better understanding of the complex relationships between humans and their environment. Most of these disciplines have been developed at Nicolaus Copernicus University for decades. A key discipline in studying the past is archaeology, which, within this project, focuses on underwater research, particularly from the medieval period. Archaeological studies support historical analyses of this period, providing valuable information that may be of interest to broader humanities research. Issues such as the identity of the past or forms of narrating it can be particularly relevant for contemporary society.
At the same time, understanding the past requires support from environmental studies. Archaeobotany provides information on environmental exploitation and reveals human adaptive capabilities. The environment, in turn, depends on geographic conditions, especially hydrographic ones, which affect water ecology. Shell deposits (biogenic calcite) can be used for dating archaeological layers using luminescence methods. Aerial photography, sonar scanning, and advanced georeferencing methods can visualize underwater and coastal areas. Photogrammetry enables the generation of 3D models. Data obtained through non-invasive methods create opportunities for interpretation using machine learning and artificial intelligence.
The project Interdisciplinary Studies of Past Cultural Phenomena – Crossing Boundaries integrates multiple scientific disciplines, such as archaeology, history, archaeobotany, hydrology, ecology, and applied physics. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of the past and a better grasp of cultural and environmental phenomena.
The UMK Center for Underwater Archaeology, as the project leader, possesses the necessary equipment and experience for its implementation. The Center’s flagship project involves research in Lake Lednica, which was one of the most important centers of power of the early Piasts – Mieszko I and Bolesław Chrobry. Archaeobotanical, hydroclimatic, and ecological studies of the lake will provide insight into the past and help better preserve the wooden structures submerged in the lake. The extraction of biogenic calcite will enable the development of a new luminescence dating method. Historical studies will be conducted by a team of UMK historians, who have published a series of monographs on the early Middle Ages. The project also includes a broader humanities perspective on history, addressing issues of the identity of the past and methods of its documentation.
The project will involve staff from the Center for Underwater Archaeology, PhD students and Master’s students, as well as specialists from other UMK faculties, including hydrology, ecology, and applied physics. Collaboration with diverse experts will allow the use of modern research methods and technologies, increasing the likelihood of the project’s success.