Domesticating Earth — The Beginnings of Agriculture Revisited

The debate over the cultural and biological changes linked to the origins of agriculture has been a central focus in anthropological research, with significant contributions from archaeologists, geneticists, and ecologists. The 2009 symposium on "The Beginnings of Agriculture" marked a pivotal moment in this discourse, indicating a paradigm shift in understanding these processes. However, despite rapid advancements over the past decade and a half, scholars from these disciplines rarely collaborate, leading to fragmented perspectives on the origins of domestication and cultivation.

In 2024, the “Domesticating Earth” symposium at Ringberg Castle in Bavaria aims to bridge these disciplinary divides by bringing together a diverse mix of senior and junior scholars from around the world, fostering direct discussions among archaeologists, ecologists, and geneticists. The goal is to break down barriers and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to advance understanding of the cultural and biological processes that led to agriculture.