Economic Circularity in the Roman and Early Medieval Worlds: New Perspectives on Invisible Agents and Dynamics

Economic circularity is the ability of a society to reduce waste by recycling, reusing, and repairing raw materials and finished products. It has gained momentum in academia due to contemporary environmental concerns, but has not been fully addressed by historical and archaeological studies. This volume explores circular economy over the longue durée and integrates an interdisciplinary perspective, highlighting classes of material, processes, agents, and methodologies generally overlooked or ignored in modern scholarship.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2023
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Economic circularity is the capacity of a society to minimize waste by recycling, reusing, and repairing raw materials and finished products. This concept has gained traction in academia, in part due to contemporary environmental concerns. Although the blurry conceptual boundaries of this term are open to a wide array of interpretations, the scholarly community generally perceives circular economy as a convenient umbrella definition that encompasses a vast array of regenerative and preservative processes.

Despite the recent surge of interest, economic circularity has not been fully addressed as a macrophenomenon by historical and archaeological studies. The limitations of data and the relatively new formulation of targeted research questions mean that several processes and agents involved in ancient circular economies are still invisible to the eye of modern scholarship. Examples include forms of curation, maintenance, and repair, which must have had an influence on the economic systems of premodern societies but are rarely accounted for. Moreover, the people behind these processes, such as collectors and scavengers, are rarely investigated and poorly understood. Even better-studied mechanisms, like reuse and recycling, are not explored to their full potential within the broader picture of ancient urban economies.

This volume stems from a conference held at Moesgaard Museum supported by the Carlsberg Foundation and the Centre for Urban Networks Evolutions (UrbNet) at Aarhus University. To enhance our understanding of circular economic processes, the contributions in this volume expand the framework of the discussion by exploring circular economy over the longue durée and by integrating an interdisciplinary perspective. Furthermore, the volume gives prominence to classes of actors, such as entrepreneurs, policymakers, and consumers, who have played pivotal

Prominent role in shaping the development and implementation of circular economy practices. By examining these diverse perspectives, the volume aims to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of circular economy processes and their implications for contemporary society.

The first chapter, authored by Jens Thrane and titled "The Longue Durée of Circular Economy," explores the historical roots of circular economy concepts and practices. The chapter highlights the importance of understanding the long-term evolution of economic systems to inform contemporary circular economy strategies. It also emphasizes the need to integrate different disciplinary perspectives, such as history, sociology, and environmental science, to fully comprehend the complexities of circular economy processes.

The second chapter, written by Sarah Binder and titled "Circular Economy and Urban Networks," examines the role of urban networks in promoting circular economy practices. The chapter highlights the importance of urban infrastructure, such as transportation systems and waste management infrastructure, in facilitating circular economy activities. It also explores the potential of urban networks to create new business models and opportunities for sustainable development.

The third chapter, authored by Michaela Hüttner and titled "Circular Economy and Material Culture," explores the relationship between circular economy practices and material culture. The chapter highlights the importance of preserving and regenerating materials to reduce waste and promote sustainable consumption. It also examines the role of cultural values and practices in shaping circular economy practices and the potential for cultural heritage to contribute to sustainable development.

The fourth chapter, written by Jens Thrane and titled "Circular Economy and Policy," examines the policy implications of circular economy practices. The chapter highlights the need for effective policies and regulations to promote circular economy activities and to ensure that they are socially and environmentally sustainable. It also explores the role of public-private partnerships in fostering circular economy innovation and implementation.

The fifth chapter, authored by Michaela Hüttner and titled "Circular Economy and Education," explores the role of education in promoting circular economy practices. The chapter highlights the importance of education in raising awareness and understanding of circular economy concepts and practices. It also explores the potential of education to create new skills and competencies for sustainable employment and entrepreneurship.

The sixth chapter, written by Sarah Binder and titled "Circular Economy and the Digital Revolution," explores the role of digital technologies in promoting circular economy practices. The chapter highlights the potential of digital technologies to facilitate circular economy activities, such as waste tracking and recycling optimization. It also explores the challenges and opportunities associated with digital technologies in promoting circular economy practices.

The seventh chapter, authored by Jens Thrane and titled "Circular Economy and the Global South," explores the challenges and opportunities associated with circular economy practices in developing countries. The chapter highlights the importance of local knowledge and resources in promoting circular economy practices and the need for international cooperation and collaboration to address global environmental challenges.

The eighth chapter, written by Michaela Hüttner and titled "Circular Economy and the Future of Food," explores the role of circular economy practices in promoting sustainable food systems. The chapter highlights the importance of reducing food waste and promoting sustainable agriculture practices to ensure food security for future generations. It also explores the potential of circular economy practices to create new business models and opportunities for sustainable food production and distribution.

The ninth chapter, authored by Sarah Binder and titled "Circular Economy and the Future of Energy," explores the role of circular economy practices in promoting sustainable energy systems. The chapter highlights the potential of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency technologies to facilitate circular economy activities. It also explores the challenges and opportunities associated with energy transition in promoting circular economy practices.

The tenth chapter, written by Jens Thrane and titled "Circular Economy and the Future of Cities," explores the role of circular economy practices in promoting sustainable urban development. The chapter highlights the importance of urban planning and design in promoting circular economy activities. It also explores the potential of urban networks to create new business models and opportunities for sustainable urban development.

The eleventh chapter, authored by Michaela Hüttner and titled "Circular Economy and the Future of Society," explores the broader societal implications of circular economy practices. The chapter highlights the potential of circular economy practices to promote social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. It also explores the challenges and opportunities associated with circular economy practices in achieving these goals.

The twelfth chapter, written by Sarah Binder and titled "Circular Economy and the Future of Business," explores the role of circular economy practices in promoting sustainable business models. The chapter highlights the potential of circular economy practices to create new business opportunities and competitive advantages. It also explores the challenges and opportunities associated with circular economy practices in creating sustainable business models.

The thirteenth chapter, authored by Jens Thrane and titled "Circular Economy and the Future of Heritage," explores the role of circular economy practices in promoting sustainable heritage management. The chapter highlights the importance of preserving and regenerating cultural heritage to promote sustainable development. It also explores the potential of circular economy practices to create new business models and opportunities for sustainable heritage management.

The fourteenth chapter, written by Michaela Hüttner and titled "Circular Economy and the Future of Democracy," explores the role of circular economy practices in promoting sustainable democracy. The chapter highlights the importance of citizen engagement and participation in promoting circular economy practices. It also explores the potential of circular economy practices to create new business models and opportunities for sustainable democracy.

The fifteenth chapter, authored by Sarah Binder and titled "Circular Economy and the Future of Life," explores the role of circular economy practices in promoting sustainable lifestyles. The chapter highlights the importance of reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption practices to promote a healthy and sustainable future for all living organisms. It also explores the potential of circular economy practices to create new business models and opportunities for sustainable lifestyles.

In conclusion, this volume provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of circular economy processes and their implications for contemporary society. By examining the contributions of scholars from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, the volume aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among researchers and practitioners working to promote circular economy practices. The volume also highlights the need for effective policies and regulations to support circular economy activities and to ensure that they are socially and environmentally sustainable. As we navigate the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity, circular economy practices offer a promising solution for creating a more sustainable and resilient future.

Dimension: 240 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789259964