The Centre of Excellence “Estonian Roots” explores the formation of cultural and genetic diversity in Estonia and neighboring regions through collaboration between the humanities and natural sciences. The center focuses on evolution—changes over time and space—in its most diverse manifestations.

To achieve this, an innovative interdisciplinary framework is being developed that integrates various fields and methods to study the interactions between people, cultures, and the environment. The center investigates the processes that have shaped the peoples and cultures of the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea from the beginning of post-glacial settlement to the present day, considering both spatial and ecological contexts. The research maps human populations and cultural phenomena, as well as the abiotic (climate) and biotic (plants, animals) factors that have influenced them.

Drawing on precise local and regional data generated through cooperation in archaeogenetics, cultural and linguistic studies, and paleoecology, researchers are creating detailed knowledge about the development of the population and distinctive cultures of these areas within the broader European context.