Mapping past human land use using archaeological data: A new classification for global land use synthesis and data harmonization
Authors: Morrison Kathleen D. , Hammer Emily , Boles Oliver , Madella Marco , Whitehouse Nicola , Gaillard Marie-Jose , Bates Jennifer , Vander Linden Marc , Merlo Stefania , Yao Alice , Popova Laura , Hill Austin Chad , Antolin Ferran , Bauer Andrew , Biagetti Stefano , Bishop Rosie R. , Buckland Phillip , Cruz Pablo , Dreslerová Dagmar , Dusseldorp Gerrit , Ellis Erle , Filipovic Dragana , Foster Thomas , Hannaford Matthew J. , Harrison Sandy P. , Hazarika Manjil , Herold Hajnalka , Hilpert Johanna , Kaplan Jed O. , Kay Andrea , Klein Goldewijk Kees , Kolář Jan , Kyazike Elizabeth , Laabs Julian , Lancelotti Carla , Lane Paul , Lawrence Dan , Lewis Krista , Lombardo Umberto , Lucarini Giulio , Arroyo-Kalin Manuel , Marchant Rob , Mayle Francis , McClatchie Meriel , McLeester Madeleine , Mooney Scott , Moskal-del Hoyo Magdalena , Navarrete Vanessa , Ndiema Emmanuel , Góes Neves Eduardo , Nowak Marek , Out Welmoed A. , Petrie Cameron , Phelps Leanne N. , Pinke Zsolt , Rostain Stéphen , Russell Thembi , Sluyter Andrew , Styring Amy K. , Tamanaha Eduardo , Thomas Evert , Veerasamy Selvakumar , Welton Lynn , Zanon Marco 
Published: April 2021

In the 12,000 years preceding the Industrial Revolution, human activities led to significant changes in land cover, plant and animal distributions, surface hydrology, and biochemical cycles. Earth system models suggest that this anthropogenic land cover change influenced regional and global climate. However, the representation of past land use in earth system models is currently oversimplified. As a result, there are large uncertainties in the current understanding of the past and current state of the earth system. In order to improve representation of the variety and scale of impacts that past land use had on the earth system, a global effort is underway to aggregate and synthesize archaeological and historical evidence of land use systems. Here we present a simple, hierarchical classification of land use systems designed to be used with archaeological and historical data at a global scale and a schema of codes that identify land use practices common to a range of systems, both implemented in a geospatial database. The classification scheme and database resulted from an extensive process of consultation with researchers worldwide. Our scheme is designed to deliver consistent, empirically robust data for the improvement of land use models, while simultaneously allowing for a comparative, detailed mapping of land use relevant to the needs of historical scholars. To illustrate the benefits of the classification scheme and methods for mapping historical land use, we apply it to Mesopotamia and Arabia at 6 kya (c. 4000 BCE). The scheme will be used to describe land use by the Past Global Changes (PAGES) LandCover6k working group, an international project comprised of archaeologists, historians, geographers, paleoecologists, and modelers. Beyond this, the scheme has a wide utility for creating a common language between research and policy communities, linking archaeologists with climate modelers, biodiversity conservation workers and initiatives.