Dark Earths – thick dark coloured homogeneous deposits often rich in archaeological remains – are a common phenomenon in European towns. Their seeming lack of stratigraphy has in the past resulted in a lack of research or even their discarding. Recent microscopic approaches, however, have convincingly demonstrated that Dark Earths contain an abundance of valuable information that can directly be related to important questions about towns and their formation.

The aim of the present Round Table is to assemble (geo-)archaeologists, historians and archaeoenvironmental specialists to discuss the implementation of these research techniques in the archaeological field work and how they have permitted to advance our understanding of town development.

The Round Table will be accompanied by short presentations, which shall encourage open discussions between participants around the following themes:

• The integration of new methods and tools to investigate urban Dark Earths into the archaeological practice
• Recording, storing and sharing of the data
• Recent case studies (Medieval urbanisation processes; landscape history)
• How can the study of Dark Earth contribute to the narratives on past urban development?

We would be pleased to address any questions or comments you may have regarding urban Dark Earth or related topics you would like us to discuss during the Round Tables. Please send your questions, ideas, topics, comments or pictures to geoarchaeology@unibas.ch.

We are organising two round tables, both with similar structure, in order to reach as many people as possible and to understand how different regions are addressing these urban deposits. To accommodate potential scheduling or travel issues, participants will have the opportunity to attend the Round Table in either Brussels or Basel.

The Round Tables are part of the WEAVE project "Welcome to the dark side - disclosing the invisible stages of medieval organization through the integrated study of European Dark Earths". They are organised by the geoarchaeological teams of the Archaeology, Environmental Changes & Geo-Chemistry Research group (AMGC-Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and the Integrative Prehistory and Archaeological Sciences team (IPAS-University of Basel) with the support of FWO and SNSF.

• For Brussels:
• For Basel: