PROTO – GREEN

PROTO-GREEN investigates how protohistoric communities in Italy, particularly during the Bronze Age (3rd–2nd millennium BC), used agricultural and livestock practices to adapt to, and actively shape, their environment in the face of climate change.

But how exactly did climate affect their farming? What strategies did these people use to grow crops and raise animals in changing conditions? That’s what PROTO-GREEN aims to discover! Despite its importance, the relationship between climate and agricultural practices in this era remains underexplored. PROTO-GREEN addresses this gap by applying stable isotope analysis (carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen) to plant and animal remains from UNESCO World Heritage sites across Italy. These analyses will reveal insights into past fertilization and irrigation strategies, livestock management systems, and the climatic conditions in which ancient communities lived.

Why does this matter today? Because the challenges faced by past societies aren’t so different from the ones we’re dealing with now. By learning how ancient people adapted to environmental change, we can gain valuable insights into sustainable farming, resource use, and how to live in balance with the land. Understanding how early communities managed resources can inspire new approaches to sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation in the modern world.

PROTO-GREEN shows us that the roots of green thinking go deep — and that the past can offer real inspiration for the future.