SCARCE

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SCARCE: A Project on Early Modern Resources

Image of the 16th century about "Tubal-Cain in his forge"

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, RP-P-2005-214-9-2, Public Domain.

About SCARCE

SCARCE (Sustained Concerns: Administration of Mineral Resource Extraction in Central Europe, 1550-1850) is a project led by Sebastian Felten and supported by the European Research Council (ERC). It aims to better understand how early modern people conceptualised resources, and how modern approaches to the material world are rooted or not in earlier practices of resource management. Hosted by the History Department — part of the Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies at the University of Vienna — the project runs from 1 November 2023 until 31 October 2028.

Learn more about SCARCE

Cover illustration for the 1773 work "A Guide to the Art of Mining" (original: Anleitung zu der Bergbaukunst) — Cover illustration for the 1773 work "Anleitung zu der Bergbaukunst" [A Guide to the Art of Mining]

What's new?

Sebastian Leitner visits the Workshop „Environmental History of Resin and Charcoal Training School”

08.09.2025 Blog post

View into the forest landscape from the hostel at Mariahilfberg, Gutenstein, Lower Austria.

Exploring traditional resin harvesting and charcoal burning in Lower Austria.

08.09.2025

Short Reflection

Sarah Seinitzer Explores Idrija’s Mercury Mining Heritage

22.07.2025 Blog post

Mural to mark the 500th anniversary of mining activity in Idrija

Uncovering Idrija’s rich mercury mining history during a week of research and exploration.

22.07.2025

Short Reflection

Mining for precious documents in Vienna’s archives

27.06.2025 Blog post

The entrance to the historian's shaft – the door to the Viennese National Archive.

27.06.2025

Author: Sebastian Leitner

6min read

Research Report

What's next?

Grains, Globes, and Common Ground between Merchants and Jewellers in Europe's Seventeenth Century Gem Trade

02.06.2026

Workshop

Presentation by Claire Sabel

Max Planck Institute for the History of Science

Berlin, Germany

Secrecy, Sovereignty and Science in the Indian Ocean Gem Trade c. 1600-1700

29.05.2026

Presentation by Claire Sabel

International Symposium "What Gems Can Say: Contemporary Perspectives for Small Works in Gemstone"

Staatliche…

Argento Vivo: Il Mercurio nei Ricettari di Età Moderna tra Alchimia e Farmacia

29.05.2026

Presentation by Sarah Seinitzer

Panel "Medicina, corpi e salute pubblica" [Medicine, the Body, and Public Health]

Italian Society fot the History of…

Don't forget to check out our blog

Get deeper insights into the workings of our research project!

The Assay

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, RP-P-2005-214-9-2, Public Domain.

Let's stay in touch!

Funded by the European Union (ERC, SCARCE, Grant number 101076422). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

More information about the ERC grant