EARTHWORK: Luminescence dating of human landscape modifications in response to environmental challenges

Earthworks like Celtic fields, banks & ditches, dikes, plaggic soils and (dwelling) mounds are abundant in the Dutch landscape. Many of these earthworks were erected by (pre-)historic people to modify their living environment and improve their quality of life, and thus reflect the environmental challenges at the time of construction. Yet, remarkably little is known about the age and nature of many of these features, as dating them is notoriously difficult and many are beyond the reach of reliable historical information. Insights in age and function of individual earthworks will greatly contribute to decision making with regard to protection, preservation, and adaptive re-use of these structures. The key question addressed by EARTHWORK is: ‘How did (pre-)historic people modify their living environment in response to environmental challenges?’. We will address this question with a broad consortium of highly-qualified public and private partners, and engaging the public at large.