Malta has secured its first-ever Horizon Europe European Research Council (ERC) Grant, awarded to Dr. Huw Groucutt, a lecturer in Mediterranean prehistory at the Department of Classics and Archaeology within the Faculty of Arts, at the University of Malta.

With nearly €2 million in funding under the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant scheme, the TerraForm project will embark on a groundbreaking study into the origins, evolution, and impacts of agricultural terracing in Malta.

Terracing, a farming technique that uses stone walls to retain soil on sloping land, has long been hailed as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. It mitigates soil erosion and prevents flooding. As one of the most intensively terraced landscapes globally, Malta presents an extraordinary opportunity to investigate the development and significance of this practice. While the origins of Maltese terraces remain debated - suggested to date as far back as prehistory or as recently as the Islamic period, TerraForm aims to uncover definitive answers using cutting-edge scientific techniques.

The TerraForm project will adopt a multidisciplinary approach, involving collaborations with researchers from the University of Milan, the University of Durham, and other international institutions. Techniques like optically stimulated luminescence, will help pinpoint the timing of terrace construction by analysing buried soil crystals. This high-tech analysis will be complemented by interviews and consultations with local farmers, ensuring a holistic understanding of the cultural and practical dimensions of terracing.

Dr. Groucutt, a Maltese citizen originally from Wales, brings a wealth of expertise to this pioneering initiative. With nearly 100 publications and fieldwork spanning Malta, Saudi Arabia, and Senegal, he has established himself as a leading authority on human-environment interactions. Before joining the University of Malta in 2022, Dr. Groucutt earned his Phd at University of Oxford and led a research group at the Max Planck Institute in Germany.

“I am honoured to receive this grant, which will allow us to explore how Malta’s terraced landscapes were shaped and their impacts over time. Understanding these practices offers vital insights for addressing climate challenges like drought and flooding. As terraces deteriorate, the risks grow. Through this research, we aim to highlight the importance of preserving these landscapes and provide solutions for a sustainable future for Malta," said Dr Groucutt. 

Commenting on the success of this landmark ERC grant, Silvio Scerri, CEO Xjenza Malta stated that, "This milestone highlights the world-class potential of Maltese researchers and demonstrates the opportunities Horizon Europe provides for advancing scientific knowledge. We encourage more researchers in Malta to follow this example and pursue ambitious projects that can make a global impact."

TerraForm not only highlights Malta’s archaeological richness but also addresses contemporary challenges. As climate change intensifies, understanding how terraced landscapes influence issues like drought, flooding, and food security is increasingly urgent. By placing Malta at the center of global studies on terracing, this project underscores the relevance of historical landscapes in tackling today’s environmental crises.

Scheduled to commence in spring 2025, TerraForm promises to deliver transformative insights and engage the public through events and outreach. For more information, contact the University of Malta. Xjenza Malta can also be contacted for further information and support in relation to European Research Council grants and any support on the Horizon Europe Programme. Malta based entities and individuals may benefit from the Horizon Europe support schemes, endowed with an annual budget of no less than Eur200k, as well as the National Contact Points (NCPs) services offered by Xjenza Malta. The support schemes cover services such as mentoring, proposal writing support, travel grants, and individual applicant coaching among others.

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