CROPREVIVE is a two-year research project that investigates how ancient farming practices can help us develop more sustainable farming systems in modern Ireland. Led by an archaeologist, Assoc. Prof. (opens in a new window)Meriel McClatchie, and a plant scientist, Dr (opens in a new window)Sónia Negrão, the Croprevive project is examining the extensive archaeological evidence for farming in ancient Ireland and merging findings with data from modern farming systems to help plan for the future.
The project focuses on three crops that were popular in the past, but have fallen from favour: emmer wheat, rye and peas. The project aims to determine how these crops became underutilised, and how they can be revived.
The project is led by an archaeologist, Assoc. Prof. Meriel McClatchie, and a plant scientist, Dr Sónia Negrão.
Adam Collins and Sofía Vargas Sielfeld are the two project researchers responsible for collating and analysing data.
Two project partners have also been appointed to collaborate with the team, Dr Susanne Barth from Teagasc and Assoc. Prof. Amy Styring from the University of Oxford School of Archaeologyy.
CROPREVIVE is funded by the Irish Research Council COALESCE Scheme.
The CROPREVIVE project is led by an archaeologist, Assoc. Prof. Meriel McClatchie, and a plant scientist, Dr Sónia Negrão.
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The CROPREVIVE project is led by an archaeologist, Assoc. Prof. Meriel McClatchie, and a plant scientist, Dr Sónia Negrão.
Adam Collins is one of two researchers responsible for collating and analysing data for the CROPREVIVE project. Adam explores data from archaeology and undertakes mapping.
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Sofía Vargas Sielfeld is one of two researchers responsible for collating and analysing data for the CROPREVIVE project. Sofia investigates data from plant sciences, and interviews farmers and food producers.
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Dr Susanne Barth, is a Senior Research Officer at Teagasc who specialises in crops. Dr Barth is helping the team examine modern farming practices and biodiversity.
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Assoc. Prof. Amy Styring undertakes stable isotope analysis of ancient crops and is helping the team select material from Ireland for analysis and undertake analysis in her laboratory. This approach will help us better understand not just what was being farmed in the past, but also how it was being farmed, because stable isotope analysis provides insights into management practices such as manuring.
View ProfileThe project is funded by the Irish Research Council COALESCE Scheme (2022–2024; Strand 2A; Project ID: COALESCE/2022/1647).
