http://mittelalter.hypotheses.org/7685
Interdisciplinary research promulgates euphoric hopes. By bringing together results of natural sciences and humanities scarce entries in historical data appear in a new light. A single account may offer a convincing explanation of a yet unexplored (or yet unconsidered) phenomenon of global or at least regional dimension. It illuminates the interrelation of nature and culture. One of these interrelations is impressively described in the remarkable article about volcanoes and the climate forcing in Carolingian age by Michael McCormick, Paul Edward Dutton and Paul A. Mayewski. This paper will briefly talk about the risks of scientific euphoria by discussing one particular dating of a volcano eruption in 939 mentioned in the article. The evidence seems to be conclusive in this case, however, uncertainties remain as soon as humanities and natural sciences bring forth their question marks. Definite answers still persist. Nevertheless, it is the proactive interdisciplinary dialogue that may downsize the question marks. In order to overcome reasonable doubts about sharing information, methods of data exchange and their utilization should be discussed in previous binding agreements.
© Abstract: Stephan Ebert @ mittelalter.hypotheses.org