Projects
From Mountarch
In this page you can find a comprehensive summary of the different projects on Mountain archaeology in which group members are participating
[edit] Agricultural and mining activities in Northwestern Spain
María Ruiz del Árbol
Almudena Orejas
Abstract
Landscape is the synthetic result of historical processes as well as a social construction in permanent change, and this dynamism is indispensable for explaining and understanding History in terms of social relationships. The scientific approach to landscape enables the reading of the net of social relations within their space and time coordinates, including their complexity. This general conception articulates the research programme developed since the final 80s by the RG Social Structure and Territory – Landscape Archaeology (Institute of History. Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences, Spanish National Council for the Scientific Research).
From the very beginning, their work has been carried out in with two main aims: the development of new methodological approaches and new research techniques from a Landscape Archaeology perspective and the practical application of research results through mechanisms of heritage valorisation, planning and dissemination. Our research line operates within the conceptual frame already mentioned and our scientific aim is the study of provincial Hispanic societies and their processes of social change, mainly in the transition from pre-Roman to Roman times. Areas covered by our projects are predominantly located in the North-western Iberian Peninsula (ancient Asturia, Galleacia and North-eastern Lusitania). Studies of pre-Roman times in these regions, addressed from this landscape conception, have allowed a new view of the archaeological record and of the social organisation of the castro communities of the later Iron Age. A deeper knowledge of their forms of occupation and exploitation of the territory was absolutely necessary for better understanding the impact of the Roman conquest and dominion.
The study of the Roman period focuses on territorial and social organisation forms in the rural civitates established by the Roman power. In these regions an essential element in this sense was the abundant gold-mining, incorporated to the Roman provincial dominion as metalla publica, often in mountain area. A broad range of aspects such as the research on mining techniques, the legal status of provincial soil, the manpower in the mines, the analysis of agrarian structures (particularly terraces systems) and settlement models are studied. Results point to a social model based on rurality, which responds to Roman juridical, fiscal and administrative organisation forms, and is present in other non-urban areas. All this is carried out from a non hierarchical research strategy that incorporates interdisciplinary methods and uses both the archaeological record in a broad sense (including geo-archaeological and palaeo-environmental data) and ancient written sources, both literary and epigraphic.
Actually, the core of the research being done is the evaluation of the impact of Roman agrarian and mining activity in the context of the general transformations taking place during and after the conquest, when the organisation of that territory was established in the region. The valorisation project shares the same main ideas. The main axes of research mentioned above are the foundations for each one of the decisions adopted in the valorisation strategy adopted for the establishment of this landscape as cultural heritage: information centres, itineraries and information points, dissemination and training programmes and publications addressed to different publics, including exhibitions. The values we want to stress are not the singularity, the exceptionality or the beauty of the zone but its significance as a synthesis of a historical process, which affected both the local (permanent physical transformations and construction of perceptual landscapes), regional (the whole Northwest of Spain is home to hundreds of gold mines exploited at the same time) and European scales (as an example of the construction of Roman provincial landscapes).
For the development of these scientific objectives we also focus in the application of specific methods and techniques applicable to landscape studies (geo-information systems, palaeo-environmental analysis, geo-archaeological studies, informatics…). We develop our work through a series of local or regional projects in León (regions of El Bierzo, Northwester basin of the Duero), Zamora (Pino de Oro), Salamanca (Sierra de Francia), Galicia (lower Miño) and Asturias (Gijón). These projects are supported by local or regional research programmes, articulated through a project of the National Plan (Formas de ocupación rural en el cuadrante noroccidental de la Península Ibérica. Transición y desarrollo entre épocas prerromana y romana (TERRITORIA) and a specific intediscplinary Project supported by the CSIC (Paisajes culturales y naturales del Bierzo: Geoarqueología, Paleoambiente y Paleobiología). Our scientific work is integrated in a national networks thanks to a project CONSOLIDER and in internationals networks through the Action COST A27, Understanding pre-industrial structures in rural and mining landscapes.
References
Bartels, Ch.; Ruiz del Árbol, M; van Londen, H., Orejas, A. (eds.), 2008, Landmarks. Profiling Europe’s Landscapes (Bochum: DBM/ COST/ CSIC)
Fernández Ochoa, Mª C.; Gil Sendino, F.; Orejas, A., 2004, “La villa romana de Veranes. El complejo rural tardorromano y propuesta de estudio del territorio”, Archivo Español de Arqueología, 77, pp. 197-219.
ISSN 09561-3663
Lévêque, L.; Ruiz del Árbol, M.; Pop, L.; Bartels, Ch., 2006, Journeys through the European Landscapes (Ponferrada: COST/ Fundación Las Médulas/ CSIC)
Orejas, A., 1998, “El estudio del paisaje: visiones desde la Arqueología”, Arqueología Espacial 19-20. Arqueología del paisaje, pp. 9-19
Orejas, A. (dir.), 2001-2003, Atlas historique des zones minières d’Europe 1&2 (Luxembourg: OPCE)
Orejas, A., 1996, Estructura social y territorio. El impacto romano en la Cuenca Noroccidental del Duero, Anejos de Archivo Español de Arqueología, XV, Madrid (CSIC),
Orejas, A., 2004, "La perception des mines anciennes hier et aujourd'hui", Espaces intégrés et gestion des ressources naturelles dans l'Empire Romain. Actes du Colloque International (Québec, 5 au 8 mars 2003), pp. 49-58.
Orejas, A. (coord.), 2007, Arqueología Espacial: Espacios Agrarios (Arqueología Espacial, 26), Teruel (Seminario de Arqueología y Etonología Turolense, Colegio Universitario de Teruel).
Orejas, A. ; Ruiz del Árbol, M. ; Sastre, I., 2005, "L'ager mensura comprehensus et le sol provincial: l'Occident de la Péninsule Ibérique". En D. Conso, A. Gonzales et J.-Y Guillaumin (eds.), Les vocabulaires techniques des arpenteurs latins, Besançon (Presses Universitaires de Franche-Comté), pp. 193-199.
Orejas, A.; Ruiz del Árbol, M., 2006, “Habiter et exploiter le paysage : autour des mines d’or de Las Medulas“, in L. Lévêque (ed.), Paysages de mémoire, mémoire du paysage (Actes du Colloque International de Besançon Mémoire et devenir des paysages culturels d’Europe, 1-4 Décembre 2005 (París : L’Harmattan)
Orejas, A.; Ruiz del Árbol, M.; López O., 2002, “Los registros del paisaje”, Archivo Español de Arqueología, 75, pp. 287-311
Orejas, A.; Sánchez-Palencia, F.-J., 2002, "Mines, Territorial Organisation and Social Structure in Roman Iberia: Carthago Nova and the Peninsular Northwest", American Journal of Archaeology, 106, pp. 581-599
Orejas, A.; Sánchez-Palencia, F.-J., 2006, “Les mines et les formes de coloniser les territoires dans l’Occident d’Hispania”, in L. Lévêque, M. Ruiz del Árbol, L. Pop and Ch. Bartels, eds., Journeys through European Landscapes/ Voyages dans les paisajes européens (Ponferrada: Fundación Las Médulas/COST)
Orejas, A.; Sastre, I., 1999, “Fiscalité et organisation du territoire dans le Nord-Ouest de la Péninsule Ibérique: ciuitates, tribut et ager mensura comprehensus”, Dialogues d’Historie Ancienne, 25.1, pp. 159-188
Ruiz del Árbol, M., 2004, “The study of ancient agricultural structures: the integration of different scales of analysis”, in G. Carver (ed.), Digging in the Dirt: excavation in a new millennium (Oxford: BAR Inter. Series S1256)
Ruiz del Árbol, M., 2005, La arqueología de los espacio cultivados. Terrazas y explotación agraria romana en un área de montaña: La Sierra de Francia (Salamanca), Anejos de Archivo Español de Arqueología XXXVI, Madrid (CSIC).
Ruiz del Árbol, M.; Beck, A., 2004, “Space technologies and Cultural Heritage”, The European Archaeologist, 22, pp. 2-5
Ruiz del Árbol, M.; Orejas A.; Sánchez-Palencia, F.-J., 2007, “A meeting point for diversity: research and valorisation on cultural landscapes in NW Iberian Peninsula”, in M. Drdácký and M. Chapuis, eds., Proceedings of the 7th European Conference “SAUVEUR”, Safeguarded Cultural Heritage. Understanding & Viability for the Enlarged Europe (Prague, 31st – 3rd June 2006) (Prague: ITAM/ EC), vol. 1
Ruiz del Árbol, M.; Orejas, A. (eds.), 2005, Landscapes as Cultural Heritage in the European research. Proceedings of the open workshop COST A27 – Madrid, 29th october 2004 (Madrid: COST/ CSIC, Biblioteca de Ciencias, 22)
Sánchez-Palencia, F. -J. (ed.), 2000, Las Médulas (León). Un paisaje cultural en la Asturia Augustana, (León: Instituto Leonés de Cultura)
Sánchez-Palencia, F.-J.; Orejas, A.; Ruiz del Árbol, M.; Sastre, I., 2008, “Las Médulas (León, Spain). A rural and mining landscape”, in Ch. Bartels, M. Ruiz del Árbol, M., H, van Londen and A. Orejas (eds.), 2008, Landmarks. Profiling Europe’s Historic Landscapes (Bochum: DBM/ COST/ CSIC)
Sánchez-Palencia, F.-J.; Orejas, A.; Sastre, I., 2007, "Roman gold mines: legal and territorial practices", in F. Reduzzi (ed.), Sfruttamento, tutela e valorizzazione del territorio: dal diritto romano alla regolamentazione europea e internazionale (Naples: Jovene Editore)
Sánchez-Palencia, F.-J.; Pérez, L.C.; Orejas, A., 2000, “Geomorfology and archaeology in the Las Médulas Archaeological Zone (ZAM) (León, Spain). Evaluation of wastes and gold production”, in F. Vermeulen and M. De Dapper eds., Geoarcheology of Landscapes of Classical Antiquity. Proceedings of the International Colloquium (Leiden: Stichting Babesch)
Sastre, I., 2002, “Forms of social inequality in the Castro Culture of Northwest Iberia”, European Journal of Archaeology, 5.2, pp. 213-248
Relevant websites
http://www.soc.staffs.ac.uk/jdw1/costa27home.html
http://www.cost.esf.org/index.php?id=233&action_number=a27
http://www.unipg.it/COSTactionA27/parks-activities/
http://www.sys.uea.ac.uk/Research/researchareas/JWMP/COSTG2/costg2.html
http://www.ih.csic.es/paginas/territorio/index.htm
http://www.fundacionlasmedulas.com/
[edit] Cerdanya and Ossau valleys projects
Director
Abstract
L’équipe présentera les résultats de trois programmes en cours sur les versants nord et sud des Pyrénées.
Le premier d’entre eux, engagé voici vingt ans, concerne la montagne d’Enveig, en Cerdagne. L’étude interdisciplinaire de ce versant de 2000 ha qui s’étend entre 1900 et 2600 m d’altitude sur le flanc sud du massif du Carlit (Pyrénées orientales) a associé pendant une dizaine d’années (1988-2000) archéologie des sites pastoraux, palynologie, anthracologie, carpologie, ethnologie et histoire (l’équipe était composée de C. Rendu, P. Campmajo, D. Crabol, B. Davasse, D. Galop, M.-P. Ruas). Ce travail collectif a permis d’établir les premières séquences pyrénéennes sur les formes d’occupation pastorales de la haute montagne du Néolithique à l’actuel. Ce faisant, il visait surtout, par la confrontation des rythmes d’anthropisation à l’évolution des sites pastoraux, à constituer l’estivage, défini comme la pratique de mener paître les troupeaux en haute montagne l’été, en domaine de l’histoire. C’est essentiellement la relation entre cette pratique et un territoire qu’il s’agissait d’interroger en cherchant à avérer leurs transformations conjointes au cours du temps.
La synthèse des travaux effectués à Enveig, publiée en 2003, a relancé la recherche dans deux directions :
1. il fallait affiner les modèles d’évolution des espaces en haute montagne, en approfondissant les recherches à Enveig même, et les diversifier, à travers d’autres terrains ;
2. Les résultats des études précédentes ayant démontré la pleine historicité des territoires et des systèmes d’exploitation d’altitude il était nécessaire aussi de s’interroger, en retour, sur la façon dont ces espaces singuliers, longtemps conçus comme des « marginal landscapes » avaient pu constituer des pôles structurants, et donc d’une certaine manière centraux, pour les sociétés montagnardes. Cette deuxième question impose un élargissement du compas d’observation et demande de reconsidérer l’évolution globale des pratiques et des représentations de l’espace montagnard au regard des structures de peuplement et des structures agro-sylvo pastorales à l’échelle valléenne.
Ces questions ont donné lieu à deux nouveaux programmes interdisciplinaires et multiscalaires, dont les données sont en cours d’acquisition et d’étude : l’un sur la Cerdagne, à l’Est des Pyrénées, l’autre sur le Béarn et la Bigorre, à l’Ouest des Pyrénées.
1. Programme Collectif de Recherche « Cerdagne : estivage et structuration sociale d’un espace montagnard »
Direction : C. Rendu, laboratoire FRAMESPA, UMR 5136, Toulouse
Partenaires : CNRS – Ministère de la Culture
Programmation : Terrain : 2002-2006 ; analyse : 2007-2009
Participants : Archéologie : C. Rendu, P. Campmajo, D. Crabol, (UMR 5136 et 8555); Histoire : E. Bille, M. Conesa (UMR 5136 Framespa); Palynologie : D. Galop (UMR 5602 Geode); Pédoanthracologie : M.-C. Bal (UMR 5602 Geode); carpologie : M.-P. Ruas (UMR 5608 Traces); Archéozoologie : S. Bréhard, J.-D. Vigne; Micromorphologie : D. Sordoillet (UMR 6565 Besançon)
thèses achevées ou en cours : E. Bille Maisons, seigneurs et vacants (Xe-XIVe s.) ; M.-C. Bal, construction et dynamiques des espaces et des terrasses agro-pastoraux en zone intermédiaire des Pyrénées; M. Conesa, Espaces et dynamiques sociales en Cerdagne (15e-19e s.)
Masters 1 et 2 : M. Le Couédic, S. Bréhard.
2. Programme Collectif de Recherche « Dynamiques sociales, spatiales et environnementales dans les Pyrénées centrales (Béarn et Bigorre) »
Direction : C. Rendu (Framespa), D. Galop (Géode)
Partenaires : CNRS - Ministère de la Culture (SRA Aquitaine), avec le soutien du Parc National des pyrénées (jusqu’en 2006) et de la Région Midi-Pyrénées (2007)
Programmation : 2004-2007 ; 2009-2011
Organisation et cadre spatial : Trois ateliers, avec des zones laboratoires à différentes échelles :
Atelier archéologie pastorale : une estive (1600 ha) en haute vallée d’Ossau
Atelier archéologie minière : vallées d’Aspe et d’Ossau
Atelier paléoenvironnement : transects altitudinaux par sondages palynologiques dans les vallées d’Ossau et du Gave de Pau
Participants : Archéologie pastorale : C. Rendu, C. Calastrenc (Framespa), M. Le Couédic (Citères); Archéologie minière : A. Beyrie, E. Kammenthaler (Traces, Arkemine); Paléoenvironnement : D. Galop, C. Cugny, D. Rius (Géode, Chrono éco); Histoire : B. Cursente, F. Hautefeuille (Framespa, Traces), D. Bidot Germa (Univ Pau); Contextualisations archéologiques à l’échelle régionale : A. Berdoy (chercheur indépendant), P. Dumontier (GAPO), F. Réchin, R. Plana (Université de Pau)
Thèses en cours : M. Le Couédic, modélisation des territoires pastoraux dans une perspective ethnoarchéologique ; D. Rius : signal incendie ; C. Cugny : micro-fossiles non polliniques.
Cadres spatiaux et chronologiques des deux programmes : Multiscalaires
- échelle du site, du versant, de la vallée par transects, du point de vue spatial ;
- échelles temporelles : très longue durée en archéologie (pas de temps séculaire) à micro-histoire , échelle des récits de vie en ethnologie.
[edit] The DYSPATER Project.
Director
Geographic setting and study areas
Les recherches portent sur le territoire des deux cités antiques des Arvernes et des Vellaves, soit approximativement l’espace correspondant à la région Auvergne actuelle. Cet espace se compose de massifs de moyenne montagne (culminant à 1886 m), de hauts plateaux (altitude moyenne : 900-1000 m) s’étendant sur de vastes surfaces et de vallées dont les plus larges (Allier) ouvrent sur de larges plaines (comme la Grande Limagne, altitude moyenne : 350 m).
Current main research projects
- Programme Environnement, Vie, Société (PEVS) Zone Atelier Loire (ZAL) du CNRS.
- ACI Archaedyn du CNRS (Dynamiques spatiales du peuplement et ressources naturelles : vers une analyse intégrée dans le long terme, de la Préhistoire au Moyen-Age). Appel d’offre ACI « Espaces et territoires » (projet ET 0028).
- PCR Archéologie des paysages d’Auvergne du Ministère de la Culture.
- Programme du laboratoire d’archéologie du Centre d’Histoire Espaces et Cultures (CHEC) Dynamiques spatiales du développement des territoires (DYSPATER).
Organisation and composition of the research teams and involved institutions
- Centre d’Histoire Espaces et Cultures (CHEC-EA 1001), Université de Clermont-Ferrand 2
- Laboratoire de Géologie des Environnements Aquatiques Continentaux (LGéAC), Université de Tours
- Service Régional de l’Archéologie (Auvergne)
- Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches sur le Massif Central (CERAMAC), Université de Clermont-Ferrand 2
- 9 thèses de doctorat en cours
Chronological framework
De l’Age du Fer au Moyen-Age.
Research strategies and main objectives
Ce programme de recherche interdisciplinaire combinant archéologie spatiale et paléoenvironnement vise à mettre en évidence les dynamiques du développement des territoires du Massif Central dans la longue durée, tout particulièrement pour la période qui va de l’Age du Fer au début du Moyen-Age. Il ne porte pas spécifiquement sur la montagne, mais sur l’ensemble du territoire des cités arverne et vellave.
La stratégie de recherche est basée sur une approche multiscalaire et interdisciplinaire de l’espace étudié :
- acquisition des données archéologiques, historiques et paléoenvironnementales à l’échelle de la fenêtre d’étude microrégionale (quelques dizaines à quelques centaines de km2) ;
- approches thématiques des marqueurs de développement à l’échelle régionale (voies de communication, villae, agglomérations secondaires, sanctuaires…).
- constitution d’une base de données DYSPATER à l’échelle du Massif Central (Arvernes, Lémovices, Vellaves, Gabales, Ruthènes, Cadurques).
L’un des objectifs est de caractériser les modalités de l’intégration de la moyenne montagne dans le système socio-économique des cités concernées.
Methodology, interdisciplinarity and technique’s integration
- archéologie : prospection systématique au sol (maille de 10 m) et aérienne ; bilan exhaustif des données bibliographiques et de fouilles ;
- histoire : identification des marqueurs de développement (habitat, infrastructures, activités agro-pastorales, artisanales et minières) ;
- paléoenvironnement : carottages, études sédimentologiques et palynologiques, microfossiles non polliniques ; données archéozoologiques et paléobotaniques issues des fouilles archéologiques ; datations C14 et archéologiques ;
- intégration des données à l’échelle microrégionale (système bassin versant) puis confrontation intra et interrégionale.
Main results
Le volet « moyenne montagne » de ce programme n’en est qu’à ses débuts. On peut distinguer deux types de résultats préliminaires :
- à l’échelle des fenêtres, mise en évidence d’une occupation dense des plateaux de la Haute-Combraille et du Cézallier au Haut-Empire, en lien avec le passage de grandes voies de communication ; l’habitat est structuré par des villae et des agglomérations ;
- cartographie et études thématiques en cours : voies romaines, agglomérations secondaires, villae, sanctuaires et autres marqueurs de développement ;
- dans la région de Clermont-Ferrand, au cœur de la cité arverne, mise en évidence de rythmes de développement différenciés entre la plaine de la Limagne, le plateau des Dômes et le Cézallier.
Future perspectives and interests in mountain areas’ research programs
- ouverture de fenêtres d’études archéo-environnementales dans différentes zones de moyenne montagne (Haute-Combraille, Cézallier, Forez) ;
- constitution d’un SIG DYSPATER.
'Main publications concerning the projects'
Trément F. dir., Argant J., Bréhéret J.-G., Cabanis M., Dousteyssier B., Fourmont A., Fournier G., Liabeuf R., Loison G., López-Sáez J.-A., Macaire J.-J., Marinval P., Mennessier-Jouannet C., Milcent P.-Y., Prat B., Rialland Y., Vernet G. (2007) Un ancien lac au pied de l’oppidum de Gergovie (Puy-de-Dôme) : interactions sociétés-milieux dans le bassin de Sarliève à l’Holocène. Gallia, 64, 2007 : 289-351.
Thèses en cours :
Besson J. (inscrit en 2006) Réseaux de peuplement et développement des territoires dans le département de l’Allier à l’époque gallo-romaine. Thèse de doctorat sous la direction de F. Trément, Université Blaise Pascal.
Coin D. (inscrite en 2006) Au cœur du territoire des Arvernes : dynamiques du peuplement et des paysages en Grande Limagne à l’Age du Fer (Puy-de-Dôme). Approche archéo-environnementale. Thèse de doctorat sous la direction de F. Trément, Université Blaise Pascal.
Dacko M. (inscrite en 2007) Les voies romaines du Massif Central : dynamique des réseaux et impact territorial. Thèse de doctorat sous la direction de F. Trément, Université Blaise Pascal.
Dousteyssier B. (inscrit en 2004) Villae et formes de l’habitat rural à l’époque romaine en Gaule centrale. Thèse de doctorat sous la direction de F. Trément, Université Blaise Pascal.
Fassion F. (inscrit en 2007) Peuplement et paléoenvironnement dans le bassin d’Ambert et les massifs du Livradois-Forez du Néolithique au Moyen-Age. Thèse de doctorat en co-tutelle avec l’Université Laval de Québec sous la co-direction de E. Hermon et F. Trément.
Massounie G. (inscrit en 2005) Le peuplement des Combrailles de la Protohistoire au Moyen-Age (Puy-de-Dôme). Thèse de doctorat sous la direction de F. Trément, Université Blaise Pascal.
Mitton C. (inscrite en 2007) Les sanctuaires gallo-romains du Massif Central (Ier s. av. J.-C. – Ve s. de n.è.). Thèse de doctorat sous la direction de F. Trément, Université Blaise Pascal.
Nectoux E. (inscrite en 2006) Les capitales vellaves : topographie urbaine, territoires et paysages (fin de l’Age du Fer - début du Moyen-Age). Thèse de doctorat sous la direction de F. Trément, Université Blaise Pascal.
Trescarte J. (inscrit en 2003) Les céramiques communes de la cité des Arvernes de la conquête romaine au Bas-Empire. Recherches sur les données de production, d’échanges et de consommation. Thèse de doctorat sous la direction de F. Trément, Université Blaise Pascal.
[edit] Environmental changes and land-use history throughout the Holocene in the French Massif Central: multi-disciplinary projects of GEOLAB
Presentation of the team “palaeoenvironment and geoarchaeology”
The team “PALAEOENVIRONMENT AND GEOARCHEOLOGY” deals with Holocene palaeoenvironmental reconstructions (short and long-term environmental disturbances, vegetation history, climatic variability etc.) with particular focuses on the interactions between man and environment and on long-term shaping of cultural landscapes. Based on high spatial and temporal paleoecological resolutions and an interdisciplinary approach mainly combining palaeoecology and archaeology, the overall objective is to propose models for the organisation and dynamics of medium mountain land-uses (agriculture and pastoralism history, forest management etc.) and settlements.
Geographic setting and study areas
The Massif Central is the widest medium mountain in the south-central France. With a surface of about 85 000 km², it covers almost a sixth of the surface of the country. Thickly forested and sliced by numerous rivers and lakes, these once volcanic uplands are geologically the oldest part of France and culturally one of the most firmly rooted in the past. The Massif Central borders the Rhône-Saône valley on the east, the Mediterranean Languedoc lowlands on the south, the Aquitaine Basin on the southwest, and the Paris Basin on the north. Its geological history explains an important environmental variability (topography, altitude, vegetation, climate etc.) which offers a large range of socio-environmental contexts. The planation that occurred following the creation of the Hercynian belt removed the ancient mountain chains, but the block was uplifted under the impact of the Alpine mountain-building movements, with a steep descent on the east and southeast, nearest the Alps, and a gentle decline under the later sediments of the Aquitaine Basin to the west and the Paris Basin to the north. Much of the western massif, notably Limousin, consists of monotonous erosion surfaces. The highest altitudes are observed on the « Plateau de Millevaches » and remains below 1000 m a.s.l. The centre and eastern parts of the massif were much fractured in the course of the Alpine movements, leaving behind up thrust blocks, of which the most conspicuous is the Morvan, the forested bastion of the north-eastern corner of the massif. Downfaulted basins filled with Tertiary sediments (those formed 65 to 1.8 million years ago), such as the Limagne near the city of Clermont-Ferrand in south-central France, were also formed. Faulting was associated with volcanic activity, which in the central part of the region formed the vast and complex structures of the massifs of Cantal and Monts Dore, where the Sancy Hill (Puy de Sancy), at 1,885 m a.s.l., is the highest summit of the Massif Central. Farther west, on the fringe of the Limagne, is the Chaîne des Puys, whose numerous cinder cones were formed only about 10,000 years ago and still retain the newness of their craters, lava flows, and other volcanic features. Numerous mineral springs, such as those at Vichy in the central Auvergne region, are a relic of volcanic activity. GEOLAB carried out several research programs in the whole Massif Central. Four of them are presented here.
Current main research projects: chronological framework, organisation and institution involved, methodology and main results
Research Program « Medieval lead smelting on the Mont-Lozère, Southern France »
Coordination: A. PLOQUIN (CNRS-Nancy) & Ph. ALLÉE (GEOLAB-UMR 6042 CNRS).
Abstract: Since 1999, the ongoing inventory and taphonomic study of metallurgic sites in the Mont Lozère area (Massif Central, France) have brought to light nearly 80 lead-ore smelters and more than 180 charcoal-burning sites. All of these sites were found in a zone measuring 10 by 4 km, at an altitude of between 1300 and 1500 m, and they all date from the central Middle Ages (11th-14th centuries). A multidisciplinary approach, combining spatial archaeology, palaeometallurgy, isotopic analyses and anthracology, provides better knowledge of the functioning of this protoindustrial territory (Ploquin et al, 2003). The galena was extracted from old mines surrounding the Mont Lozère; these mines were situated about 10 kilometres south of the smelting sites. So the ore had to be taken to the metallurgical workshops via a transhumance route called “the Draille”. However, the metallurgical workshops and the charcoal-burning sites were associated, the wood charcoal (the fuel for the smelting activity) being produced near the smelting kilns. The wood supply is likely to explain the installation at altitude of travelling workshops, as near as possible to the charcoal-producing forest. The archaeobotanic remains of charcoal-burning sites are very useful for the reconstruction of the medieval forest (expanse of the forest, nature of the wood, and management methods). This forest used to grow on the steep slopes below the pasture grazed by migrant sheep flocks at the summit. The first anthracological results indicate a secondary beech forest managed as coppice.
Scientific collaboration: UPR 2300 CRPG Nancy, SRA Languedoc-Roussillon, UMR 6116 Laboratoire de Botanique Historique et Palynologie, Marseille / UMR 5569, Montpellier / UMR 6042 Clermont-Ferrand-Limoges / Université de Toulouse Le Mirail / Parc National des Cévennes.
Research Program: “Genesis of the different forest territories in Limousin (Massif Central, France): a geoarchaeological case study”
Coordination: Ph. ALLÉE (GEOLAB-UMR 6042 CNRS)
Abstract: Limousin is an original and heterogenous forest territory. Forests are composed of tall broadleaved trees and young conifers; coppice of oaks, chestnuts and beeches; or young spontaneous increased forests, etc. These different forests traduce a long and complex history of interactions between societies and forests. Since 2005, archaeologists, historians, geographers and foresters, ecologists and paleobotanists work together in a scientific program dedicated to the geohistorical and archaeological study of the Limousin forests. In these multidisciplinary works, the forest is perceived as a real anthroposystem produced and managed by societies. In this scientific program, researches are organized between four axes including forest archaeology mainly based on an archeobotanic approach (particularly anthracology). First results obtained confirm an ancient old charcoal, and prove the important role played by the forests in the supply of fuel to iron and steel proto-industries during Modern times.
Scientific collaboration: CNRS UMR 6042 Clermont-Ferrand-Limoges / CNRS FRE 2792 Poitiers, CNRS UMR 8555 Toulouse / Université de Limoges (EA Cerhilim et Ehic) / SRA Limousin / CNP de Périgueux / CRPF du limousin / PNR Périgord-Limousin.
Research Program « Holocene palaeoenvironmental changes and long term land use history in the heart of a medium mountain: a multi-disciplinary research program performed in the “Cantal” (Central Massif, France)
Coordination: Y. MIRAS & F. SURMELY (GEOLAB/UMR 6042 CNRS)
Abstract: Palaeoecological investigations (pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, micro-charcoal, and geochemistry, radiocarbon data) of two peat-bogs lying in southern Cantal in the French Massif Central have been carried out to reconstruct vegetation and land use change from the end of the Tardiglaciar to the present day. In order to better understand natural/anthropogenic processes interactions in these mountainous ecosystems ranging from 1000 m to 1600 m a.s.l., these high spatial and temporal resolution studies are included in an integrated and diachronic research program begun in 2000 and based on a multi-disciplinary approach (mainly archaeology, history). Archaeological prospections and excavations surveyed an area of 50 km2 and reveal more than 700 sites (200 prehistorical and 300 medieval/modern sites). Both archaeological and palaeoecological studies document first human occupations as far back as the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition and Early Neolithic, even at higher altitudes. Repeated local forest fires began at ca. 6200 cal BC and first regular Cerealia pollen-type are noticed as early as ca. 5800 cal B.C. Paleoecological records provide moreover two key phases in the history of this mountain occupation. A more significant impact between ca. 2450 and 2000 cal B.C. testifies a Final Neolithic/Early Bronze Age shifting agro-pastoral management. The Roman period (mainly the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D.) appear to be a real threshold in the shaping of this medium mountain landscape. Large beech-fir forest openings are related to an important agro-pastoral extension which had considerable impact on the rapid change from a relatively undisturbed landscape on a global scale towards a human dominated cultural landscape. Relating these reconstructed rhythms of landscape evolution to the Holocene climate variable is tried as well as their connexions to socio-economic transformations particularly since Medieval and Contemporaneous periods. Between the 10th and the 15th centuries approximately, an important and permanent human settlement in the mountain is organised in hamlets ranging to an elevation of 1250 m a.s.l. The agro-system developed includes grazing and cereal cultivation. Towards the 14th-15th centuries, a significant cultural shift in the exploitation system mostly documented by archaeological data reveals a change in the landscape organisation especially for the highest altitudes zone. The permanent mixed arable-pastoral farming is progressively substituted by a strict pastoral one based on herds seasonal migrations
Scientific collaboration: University of Franche-Comté (UMR 6249/CNRS), University of Caen (UMR 6583), University of Barcelona, Archeological Regional Service of Auvergne, INRAP, Natural Parks
Research Program “Geoarchaeological approach of the sedimentary archives of the Chaîne des Puys / Plateau des Dômes (French Massif central) : palaeolandscape and land use history”
Coordination: C. BALLUT (GEOLAB/UMR 6042 CNRS)
Abstract: The aim is the reconstruction of palaeolandscapes and land-use history based on sedimentological studies of natural sequences (physical and chemical analyses, palaeoecological studies). Owing to GIS system, exploratory methods are developed and tested with an attempt of spatializing sedimentological data on geomorphological processes.
Scientific collaboration: ENITA-Lempdes
Methodology, interdisciplinarity and technique’s integration
The approach consists in combining archaeology, palaeoecology and geoarchaeology to provide an integrated environmental reconstruction. GEOLAB gathers together several palaeoenvironmental disciplines: micromorphology, sedimentology, geomorphology, palynology, anthracology, data modelisation (GIS etc.). Archaeology is also represented with several collaborations with INRAP, SRA-Ministry of Culture etc. GEOLAB has at its disposal all the technical equipment required for palaeoenvironmental studies: mechanical corer, palynological and anthracology laboratory, microscopy, sedimentary equipment (laser granulometer), SCAN 3D etc.
Future perspectives and interests in mountain areas’ research programs
European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research is a high priority objective for GEOLAB. Many of its regional programs focused on palaeoenvironmental changes and land-use history traduce an emergent multidisciplinary research dynamics in the French Massif Central but also in other geographical areas where GEOLAB is already working with different European partners. GEOLAB is now interested in making progress, exchanging knowledge and technological abilities, synergising working groups, conducting comparative and innovative studies, and jointly synthesising findings etc., involving young and more experienced scientists. It is the reason why GEOLAB is ready to involve itself in participating in an European scientific network with an attempt of adding value to research investment, answering to National (ANR) and European scientific calls.
Main publications concerning the projects
Allée, Ph. (coord.), 2006. Géohistoire et géoarchéologie des territoires forestiers limousins. Projet Collectif de Recherche triennal 2007-2009, 162 p.
Ballut C., Gaby G, Prat B., 2008a. Restitution et modélisation de l’évolution paysagère du bassin versant de Montchâtre à l’Holocène récent (Massif central, France), D. Galop (dir.), Actes du colloque du RTP Paysages et environnement : de la reconstitution du passé aux modèles prospectifs, Presses universitaires de Franche-comté, Annales littéraires, série « Environnement, sociétés et archéologie », Besançon, 227-236.
Ballut C., Prat B., Lopez Saez J.-A., Gaby G., Cabanis M., 2008b. Evolution environnementale d’une zone humide et de son bassin versant depuis la fin de l’âge du Fer : le maar de Montchâtre (Massif central, France). Quaternaire, 19, (1), p. 87-97.
Guenet, P., Miras, Y., Surmely, F., et Tzortzis, S., 2003. Recherches géoarchéologiques sur le site de la Montagne de Peyre (commune de Lacapelle-Barrès, Cantal). Premiers résultats. Préhistoire du Sud-Ouest , 10, 2, 205-210.
Miras, Y., Surmely, F. et Collectif, 2006. Environnement et peuplement de la moyenne montagne du Tardiglaciaire à nos jours. Actes de la table ronde internationale de Pierrefort (Cantal) du 19 au 20 juin 2003 (Y. Miras & F. Surmely dir.). Collection Annales Littéraires, Série « Environnement, sociétés et archéologie », n° 799, Presses Universitaires de Franche-Comté, 205 p.
Miras, Y., Surmely, F. et Tzortzis, S., 2005. La vie sur une montagne du Cantal. Archeologia, 422, 38-48.
Miras, Y., Guenet, P., Surmely, F., Michelin, Y., Tible, R., Walter-Simonnet, A.-V., et Richard, H., 2003. Histoire de l'environnement et des dynamiques agro-pastorales dans le Massif du Cantal : étude pluridisciplinaire de la tourbière de Roussy (Saint-Projet-de-Salers, France). Quaternaire , 14, 4, 265-278.
Miras, Y., Laggoun-Défarge, F., P. Guenet, and H. Richard, 2004. Multi-disciplinary approach to changes in agro-patoral activities since the Subboreal in the surroundings of the "narse d'Espinasse" (Puy de Dôme, French Massif Central). Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 13, 91-103.
[edit] The Hidden Landscapes Project
Director
Abstract
The methodology developed for field walking surveys in the Mediterranean over the past few decades, has been optimized for use in the accessible agricultural landscapes of the coastal and alluvial plain and larger montane basins. No developed methodology exists by which we can systematically examine rugged upland and mountain terrain. The Hidden Landscapes project of the Groningen Institute of Archaeology has begun to attack this problem using a combination of systematic landscape evaluation and experimental approaches to surveying. The preliminary results and conclusions will be presented.
Current main research projects
The Hidden Landscapes project, 2005 - 2010
Main objectives
To develop methodologies for the systematic study of 'hidden'(buried or otherwise inaccessible) landscapes; to develops methods for the study of the 'bottom' of the site hierarchy.
Organisation and composition of the research teams and involved institutions
Interdisciplinary team consisting of archaeologists,geologists and pollen- and seed specialists from GIA, with collaboration of external soil and geophysics specialists from the Netherlands, and remote sensing specialists from Belgium.
Geographic setting and study areas
Two areas in central and southern Italy, both ranging from coastal plain to (limestone) mountains (max 1600m in central Italy, 2000m in south Italy).
Chronological framework
No prior restrictions, but in practice mostly from EBA to late Roman.
Research strategies
Systematic intensive field walking surveys, pollen corings, geological coring with environmental sampling, computer simulations of erosion/deposition, systematic assessment of biases, experiments with alternative discovery techniques (geophysics).
Methodology, interdisciplinarity and technique’s integration
This is the main focus of the HL project. In particular, we attempt to implement a true geo-archaeology - the integration of geological and archaeological approaches.
Future perspectives in mountain areas’ research programs
A complete review of mountain exploitation patterns, by period and society type, is needed. The effectivity of all available research techniques (eg, airborne lidar, soil chemistry) should be examined. A document should be prepared in which the significance of the archaeological record is explained to mountain administrative authorities. The feasibility of a European 'mountain archaeology' network should be examined.
[edit] The HIDRAM4000 and INVACAS interdisciplinary projects. Climate, landscape and socio-economic interactions in transhumance areas of Spain
Director
Current main research projects
• 2005-2008- Environmental changes, water availability and socio-economic responses during the last 4000 years: integration of archaeological data and lake records (HIDRAM4000). Spanish Science and Education Ministry.
• 2002-2005- Interrelations between the environmental variability and the socio-economic changes in the Mediterranean border of the Iberian Peninsula between 4,000 yr and 2,000 yr BP (INVACAS). Spanish Science and Education Ministry.
Main objectives
The HIDRAM4000 project aims to analyze the past synergies between natural and human forces with the aim to understand the effects of climate variability over natural systems, landscapes, economies and societies.
Future expected scenarios indicate that changes in climate regime and land uses will greatly influence natural and human systems. This fact is specially striking in Mediterranean regions where the environment and the socio-economic systems are highly sensitive to droughts and water shortage. The similarity of present day climate change to past climate fluctuations underlines the study of palaeorecords as an useful tool in order to improve the understanding of future scenarios of environmental and social changes.
In addition, a main objective of this project is to study the influence of socio-environmental interactions on both land management choices and the process of cultural landscape shaping, especially in relation with grazing, farming and water management activities. In this regard, the historical processes involved in the landscape construction are specially considered in this project.
• Past human-environment interactions
• Socio-economic responses to natural variability
• Recurrence of drought periods
• Water management along history: climate causes and environmental consequences
• Definition of reliable scenarios of climate and environmental change
• Land use and the shaping of Cultural Landscapes, related to grazing, farming and water management
• Local human responses to environmental change in Spain: the role of natural systems and the cultural traditions
• History of flock mobility and transhumance practices
Organisation and composition of the research team and involved institutions
• S. Riera, A. Curràs. The Seminar of Prehistoric Studies and Research (University of Barcelona) works on the field of the human ecology, palaeoenvironments and palaeoeconomies.
• R, Julià. The research group of Sedimentary Geology (Institute of Earth Science Jaume Almera-CSIC) works on Holocene lacustrine sedimentology and climate variability.
• F.Mezquita, J. Armengol, L. Zamora. The research Unit of Limnology (Dept. of Ecology, University of Valencia), works on past and present ostracod and cladocera communities and on transfer functions for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.
• J.M. Reed. Dept. of Geography (University of Hull) works on the use of diatoms as indicators of past environmental change.
• M. A. Marquès, from the Dept. of Geodynamics and Geophysics (University of Barcelona), works in geomorphology and natural hazards.
• N. Alonso. The Archaeological Research Group of the University of Lleida) has carried out fieldwork studies and excavations diggings at the Lleida and Urgell plains (Catalonia, Spain).
• E. García-Soto and S. Ferrero Ros work on fieldwork and archaeological excavation in the Guadalajara region.
• E. Sánchez-Moreno from the Ancient History Area (Autonomous University of Madrid), works in the study of transhumance practices during Pre-roman, Roman and Late Antiquity periods.
• E.Pascua from the Dept. of Mediaeval History and the Institute of Environmental History (University of St. Andrews) works in the study of medieval transhumance.
• J.A. López from the Research Group in Archaeobiology (Institute of History-CSIC) works on palaeoenvironment dynamics and environmental archaeology.
Chronological framework
Projects are focused on the last 4000 years, when both natural variability and human impact overlay as main causes of environmental changes.
Research strategies
Karstic lake sediments are adequate key-sites to attempt an interdisciplinary approach to formulate models of environmental changes. The study areas have been selected on the basis of the occurrence of both karstic lakes and archaeological sites. These areas are usually located at medium-mountain and plains. Being points of permanent water, karstic lakes have always attracted human groups. Therefore, they constitute adequate areas for the study of human-environment interactions mainly in Mediterranean areas where droughts and water shortage are frequent.
In addition, karstic lakes are suitable for fossil preservation providing a diversity of data for multiproxy studies. Furthermore, high sedimentation rates allow high resolution analyses.
To achieve the main objectives, proxies are cross-correlated and calibrated using a multidisciplinary approach based on palaeoenvironmental, archaeological and historical series, as well as ethnographic information.
In the Mediterranean region, the complementary study of winter lowland and high mountain summer pastures is necessary to understand the history of transhumance practices and the archaeological structures related.
Geographic setting and study areas
Studied areas in Spain are located in the Pre-Pyrenees (700 m), Subbethic ranges (800 m), Iberian range (1200 m), and Ebro basin (300 m).
These case studies are linked with classical transhumance tracks and contain archaeological evidences of pastoral structures.
Methodology, interdisciplinarity and technique’s integration
Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions will be based on high resolution and multi-proxy analyses from lacustrine sediment sequences (sedimentology, ostracods, cladocera, diatoms, pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, charcoal, etc). In addition, population, economy, land use and cultural changes will be acquired from archaeological (settlement distribution and site excavation) and written sources.
Special effort was done in dating sediments (C-14, Pb-210, Cs-137) and in obtaining reliable chronological models.
Future perspectives in mountain areas’ research programs
These data will contribute to obtain a general overview of flock mobility and transhumance in Spain, when complemented with the results of similar projects developed at high mountain altitudes.
The implementation of the project not only may contribute to conserve mountain biodiversity but to make these areas economically more attractive and dynamic by increasing income generation activities related to cultural tourism services such as history, cultural landscapes, ancient metallurgy, pastoral structures, charcoal fire-production ,etc.
Workshop Presentation
Relevant websites
CAMBIOS AMBIENTALES, DISPONIBILIDAD HIDRICA Y REPERCUSIONES SOCIO-ECONOMICAS DURANTE LOS ULTIMOS 4000 AÑOS: INTEGRACION DE DATOS ARQUEOLOGICOS Y DE REGISTROS LACUSTRES. CGL2005-06358-C02-01
CAMBIOS AMBIENTALES, DISPONIBILIDAD HIDRICA Y REPERCUSIONES SOCIO-ECONOMICAS DURANTE LOS ULTIMOS 4000 AÑOS: INTEGRACION DE DATOS ARQUEOLOGICOS Y DE REGISTROS LACUSTRES. CGL2005-06358-C02-02
[edit] The History of Mining Activities in the Tyrol and Adjacent Areas:
Impact of mining on the environment and on human societies (cultures)
Director
Current main research projects:
o The History of Mining Activities in the Tyrol and Adjacent Areas: Impact of mining on the environment and on human societies (cultures)
o Inner Alpine Subsistence Strategies in Connection with the Neolithic Iceman “Ötzi”
Main objectives
In prehistoric times the exploitation of copper ore deposits in the Eastern Alps led to complex technological developments. During the Bronze Age and again with the beginning of the late Mediaeval times, technological know-how became more widespread, which enabled ore exploitation – particularly of copper respectively silver ore – at many different sites over a wide-ranging area. Consequently local and supra-regional metal production territories were established during the 2nd and 1st millennium BC and again between the 12th and 16th century AD. The advanced pyrotechnical knowledge induced the establishment of a large-scale techno-complex extending from Grisons to Upper Styria. The conformity in technological mining and metallurgical processes reveals an area with common economic ties, which suggests a co-operation in the form of logistical concepts. A detailed research of these features demands a regionally branched, diachronous approach structured in two main aspects: a spatial aspect with a classification of the mining ensemble, mining district and mining landscape, and a temporal aspect divided into sporadic, seasonal and year-round exploitation and production processes. Additionally, the implementation of technological and economical concepts depends on regionally determined factors, such as the surrounding environment, transportation routes and dissimilarities between ore deposits. So far only some of these features have been studied in a few areas in the Eastern Alps, and our knowledge of the structure and organisation of the mining landscape in space and time is poor. This is mainly due to the lack of multidisciplinary research, which can provide additional essential information on the turnover in “international trade”, on the environmental impact and on the depletion of the available resources. This is a long-needed desideratum in mining research and constitutes the major objectives of the ten-year research project HiMAT at Innsbruck University.
Organisation and composition of the research teams and involved institutions
Own specific research area with 13 research teams included in a consortium (9 from Innsbruck University and 4 international partners:
Speaker: Oeggl Klaus, Institute of Botany, Innsbruck University
Mathis Franz, Institute of History and Ethnology, Innsbruck University
Moser Johann, Institute of German language, Innsbruck University
Schneider Ingo, Institute of History and Ethnology, Innsbruck University
Leitner Walter, Institute of Archaeologies, Innsbruck University
Tomedi, Institute of Archaeologies, Innsbruck University
Stöllner Thomas, Mining-Archaeology, Deutsches Bergbau-Museum, Bochum and Institute of Archaeological Science, Bochum University
Krause Rüdiger, Institute of Archaeology, Frankfurt University
Pernicka Ernst, Institute of Pre- and Early History, Tübingen University
Tropper Peter, Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography, Innsbruck University
Schibler Jörg, Institute for Prehistory and Archaeological Science, Basel University
Nicolussi Kurt, Institute of Geography, Innsbruck University
Hanke Klaus, Institute of Basic Sciences in Civil Engineering/Surveying and Geoinformation Unit, Innsbruck University
Geographic setting and study areas
The area from Grisons to Upper Styria in the Eastern Alps with 4 key areas: Mitterberg, Schwaz/Brixlegg, Kitzbühle/Kelchalpe, Montafon; from the valley bottoms to the alpine regions
Chronological framework
Mesolithic to Modern times
Research strategies
Interdisciplinary mutual networking of various disciplines
Methodology, interdisciplinarity and technique’s integration
The aforementioned research goals demand a regional approach, which analyses the archaeological and historical source data according to a chronological time frame spanning from the Neolithic to Modern times, including also the very first beginnings of mineral use since the Mesolithic. Therefore, the research strategy of HiMAT envisages time-vertical studies dealing with changes from a long-term perspective as well as time-horizontal studies dealing with selected important periods of mining. Both study types are conducted in specific key areas in the course of an interdisciplinary networking of researchers of the University of Innsbruck and international experts from the Universities of Basel, Bochum, Frankfurt and Tübingen as well as from the German Mining Museum in Bochum.
During the first four-year phase of HiMAT (2007 – 2010), the origin, rise and fall of mining districts north of the main Alpine ridge will be studied. Four key sites (Fig. 1) provide excellent preconditions to evaluate crucial factors of the production domains (Fig. 2) and to define these after chronological and functional criteria. In order to understand the nature of the compound interdependence of prehistoric metallurgists, comparative studies between these mining areas will be conducted in mutual cooperation between experts in archaeology, archaeobotany, archaeometallurgy, archaeozoology, dendrology, ethnology, geodesy, history, linguistics, mineralogy and palaeoecology.
In the 2nd phase (3 years), the studies will be extended to mining areas south of the main Alpine range. In this way, a representative investigation area is available to study large-scale problems in aspects of socio-economy (trade connections, subsistence strategies) and environment (human and climate interrelationships, limitation of natural resources).
In the 3rd and final phase (3 years), long-term changes brought about by the impact of mining and its causalities will be observed and analysed using the dataset compiled during the previous phases in order to detect cycles and their causal processes (socio-economic or climatic impact) in the interrelationship between man and environment.
Future perspectives in mountain areas’ research programs
Establishing an international workgroup focused on interdisciplinary studies on past human impact in high altitudes
[edit] Human activities, environnement and mountain landscapes: studies in Jura mountains and Morvan middle mountain (France)
Director
Current main research projects
Program 2.2.2. Dynamique des paysages et des communautés. Chrono-environment Lab. UMR6249 CNRS-Univ. Franche-Comté
Morvan mountain: “L’environnement du Mont-Beuvray” of the European Archaeological Center of Mont-Beuvray.
Main objectives
Study of human/environment interactions at different scales in landscape; history of agrosystems; special focus on the role of palaeometallurgy in Morvan.
Organisation and composition of the research teams and involved institutions
UMR 6249 ChronoEnvironment (Besançon), UMR 5594 Artheis (Dijon), European Archaeological Center of Mont-Beuvray.
Geographic setting and study areas
Morvan: Burgundy-France (middle mountain granitic area; altitude maximum: 900 m. a.s.l.)
Jura: North East France-Swizterland (limestone mountain chain; altitude maximum: 1720 m. a.s.l)
Chronological framework
Holocene, especially Late Holocene. Special focus on Bronze Age and Iron Age for palaeo-metallurgy issue.
Research strategies
Impact of human activities on environment.
Methodology, interdisciplinarity and technique’s integration
Multiproxy analyses: palynology, Non-Pollinic-Microfossils study, geochemistry, archaeology, palaeoclimatology (lake-level).
Future perspectives in mountain areas’ research programs
Study of the role and impact of palaeometallurgy on other mountain areas; tracking other pollutants.
[edit] Human adapatation to changing environments: archaeology, botany and zoology
Director
Geographic setting and study areas
Norway, Portugal and the Alps
Current main research projects
-Fecal basic studies on selected domestic animals
-Coprolite studies connected to historic and prehistoric transport/movements.
-Transhumance - from lowland to higher altitudes.
-Human disturbances during the Mesolithic; neolithic, Bronze, Iron Age, and later periods Human adation to natural changes within mountainous and alpine. zones.
-Effects of the great Plague (about AD 1350) on three selected farms.
-Former use of some garden plants, also at summer farms
-Pollen of Frangula alnus, and some succesion studies
-Early records of Polemonium pollen
-Trilite fern spores.
[edit] The Madriu-Perafita-Claror and La Vansa valleys
Director
Current main research projects
• The settlement and shaping of mountain landscapes in the Eastern Pyrenees from Prehistoric to Medieval times: Madriu-Perafita-Claror valleys (Andorra)
• The settlement and shaping of mountain landscapes in the Eastern Pyrenees from Prehistoric to Medieval times: La Vansa valley – Cadí chain (Alt Urgell)
Main objectives
The main aim of our research projects in the Eastern Pyrenees is to explain both the landscape dynamics and the different settlement episodes in high altitudinal areas (above 2000m).
Main objectives are briefly the following:
1. To determine the origin, evolution and character of high mountain Cultural Landscapes following a long-term perspective.
2. To analyse landscape dynamics and settlement evolution from Neolithic to Modern times.
3. To study human-environment interactions in order to explain socio-economical models of adaptation to environmental variability.
4. To characterise human activities and their incidence in the shaping of high mountain areas.
5. To characterise land-use, mainly pastoralism, forest exploitation, mining and metallurgical activities from a long term perspective.
6. To determine settlement forms and human activities from “archaeological signs”.
7. To develop a complete data base to improve GIS analysis.
8. To determine vegetation changes, such as forest clearances or tree limit oscillations, in relation with climatic change and human activities.
9. To decipher cultural and natural triggering of environmental change
10. To establish criteria for a re-evaluation of high mountain areas considered as cultural heritage as a whole in relation with future sustainable activities.
Organisation and composition of the research teams and involved institutions
Archaeology:
Josep M. Palet (ICAC)
Hector A. Orengo (ICAC)
Arnau Fernández (ICAC)
Marta Flórez (ICAC)
Palynology:
Ana Ejarque (ICAC)
Santiago Riera (SERP-Universitat Barcelona)
Yannick Miras (GEOLAB, ICAC and SERP - UB)
Anthracology:
Itxaso Euba (ICAC)
Ethel Allué (IPHES - URV)
Carpology:
Ramón Buxó, Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
Sedimentology:
Ramon Julià, Institut de Ciències de la Terra Jaume Almera (IJA-CSIC)
Santiago Giralt, Institut de Ciències de la Terra Jaume Almera (IJA-CSIC)
Geochemistry:
Lluís Camarero, Unitat de Limnologia – CEAB/CSIC
Maddi Altuna, Unitat de Limnologia – CEAB/CSIC
Sergi Pla, Unitat de Limnologia – CEAB/CSIC
Ramon Julià, Institut de Ciències de la Terra Jaume Almera (IJA-CSIC)
Historical documentation:
Carles Gascón, Consell Comarcal de l’Alt Urgell
Hector A. Orengo (ICAC)
Xavier Llovera, Àrea de Recerca Històrica. Patrimoni Cultural d’Andorra
Olivier Codina, Àrea de Recerca Històrica. Patrimoni Cultural d’Andorra
Geographic setting and study areas
The two study areas are located at the Segre river’s high basin (East Mediterranean Pyrenees). Madriu-Perafita-Claror valleys are in the Andorran axial Pyrenees, between 2000 and 2800 m.a.s.l., while La Vansa valley is located at the Catalan pre–Pyrenean calcareous sector, between 1700 and 2400 m.a.s.l.. In both cases, the research is focused in the subalpine and alpine belts.
Chronological framework
The long-term research study extends from the Mesolithic to Modern times.
Research strategies
• These projects are based on interdisdisplinarity, which comprises archaeological survey and excavation combined with the use of palaeoecological evidence, especially the palynologycal study of lakes and peatbogs and sedimentology-geochemistry and the charcoal analysis from archaeological sites (Palet et al. 2007).
• Local case studies: landscape analysis starting from limited spatial windows
• Micro-scale studies
Our methodology is based on:
• Long-term approach
• Integration of spatial scales (microregional to regional)
• Regressive approach from current Cultural Landscapes
• Multidisciplinary approach and integration of data from different nature
• Large effort on high reliability and resolution of chronological frameworks in all series (archaeology, paleoenvironment)
Main techniques are:
• Archaeology fieldwork (prospection, test-pits excavation and extensive excavation of structures)
• Written sources (cadastral and agrarian sources)
• Air photo interpretation
• GIS analysis
• Anthracology of archaeological structures
• Palaeoenvironmental analysis: altitudinal transect 2100-2600 m a.s.l.
• Study of diverse nature’s sediments which allow for the application of different proxy analyses: lakes, peat-bogs, archaeological sites
• High temporal and spatial resolution of the palaeoenvironment analysis
• Multi-proxy analyses : pollen,, non-pollen palynomorphs microcharcoal, sedimentology, geochemistry, algae, etc.
• Calibration of proxies (data crossing, modern referential studies)
The main aim is to correlate archaeological, historical and palaeoenvironmental data in order to understand human – environment interactions.
Future perspectives in mountain areas’ research programs
Data will contribute to define the genesis and evolution of high mountain Cultural Landscapes. This will contribute to the re-evaluation of mountain landscapes as cultural heritage spaces as a whole in relation with sustainable development.
We are interested in future networking with other research teams working on similar topics, especially to improve methods and results and to prepare European calls.
Bibliography
EJARQUE, A. (2006). Evolución paleoambiental y ritmos de antropización del Valle del Madriu-Perafita-Claror (Andorra) a partir del estudio polínico del Estany Blau (2.471 m). DEA, Institut Català d‘Arqueologia Clàssica. Inèdit..
EUBA, I. (2008). Análisis antracológico de estructuras altimontanas en el valle de la Vansa-Sierra del Cadí (Alt Urgell) y en el valle del Madriu (Andorra): explotación de recursos forestales del Neolítico a época moderna. Unpublished Ph. D. ICAC. Tarragone.
MIRAS Y., EJARQUE A., RIERA S., PALET JM, ORENGO, H., EUBA I.: Dynamique holocène de la végétation et occupation des Pyrénées andorranes depuis le Néolithique ancien, d’après l’analyse pollinique de la tourbière de Bosc dels Estanyons (2180 m, Vall del Madriu, Andorre), C. R. Palevol. Paléontologie humaine et préhistoire , 6, 2007, 291-300.
ORENGO, H. (2007). Dinámicas históricas de ocupación y explotación de un paisaje altimontano: los valles de Perafita y Claror (Andorra). Unpublished master dissertation.
PALET, JM. (2006): Stratégies de la recherche archéologique en haute montagne: les projets “Champsaur” (Alpes du sud) et “vallée du Madriu / La Vansa – Serra del Cadí. ALPIS GRAIA. Archéologie sans frontières au col du Petit-Saint-Bernard, Interrreg III AAlcotra 2000-2006, , 381-385.
PALET, J.M.; RIERA, S.; MIRAS, Y.; EJARQUE, A.; EUBA, I (2006): Estudi i revalorització dels paisatges culturals d’alta muntanya: els projectes vall del Madriu (Andorra) i La Vansa - Serra del Cadí (Alt Urgell) IBIX 4, Annals 2004-2005, 89-107.
PALET, J.M.; EJARQUE, A.; MIRAS, Y., EUBA, I, ORENGO, H., RIERA, S. (2007): Formes d’ocupació d’alta muntanya a la Serra del Cadí (Alt Urgell) i a la vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror (Andorra) : estudi diacrònic de paisatges culturals pirinencs. Tribuna d’Arqueologia 2006, , 229-253.
[edit] The Pallars and Alta Ribagorça Projects
Director
Geographic setting and study areas
The research is conducted in the northern watersheds of Noguera Pallaresa and Noguera Ribagorçana rivers. Although the main valleys have been studied, the principal focus is the high areas surrounding these, regarding the exploitation of subalpine and alpine environments. The altitudes of the main sites studied range between 1.700 and 2.750 m. During the last years (after 2004) the surface surveys focused too in areas over 1700 m. until 2.900 m.
Current main research projects
The current investigations are the result of the confluence of both the archaeological research done by the Prehistory Department of UAB and the paleoenvironmental research from the Department of Geography and the Paleobotany Area of UAB. These conjunctive investigations are currently coordinate trough the Project Archaeology of the Pyrenean High Mountain . Human settlement and climatic change during the Holocene, granted by the Generalitat de Catalunya. Others projects linked to current research line are, among others:
- The Prehistoric Life in the Pallars Sobirà: from hunting to transhumance (9.000 – 50 calBC), founded by: Generalitat de Catalunya, National Park of Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici, etc.
- Pyrenean environmental dynamics during the latest 20.000 years: study of the impact of the climatic changes and the soil uses in the forest ecosystems, founded by the Communité de Travail des Pirenées.
Organization and composition of the research teams and involved institutions
The research is conducted under the coordination of two different teams in a common program. The first one has the responsibility of the archaeological research and, with the direction of Ermengol Gassiot, with researchers from the Department of Prehistory of UAB and the Department of Arcaeology and Anthropology of the CSIC. The second one is coordinated by Albert Pélachs and has researchers from the Deapartment of Geography and Biology of the UAB and the Jaume Almera institute from the CSIC. Additionally there are collaborations from the Eco-Museu of Esterri d’Àneu and from the Minery School of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
Beginning in 2004, an important partner of the archaeological research is the National Park of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, who promote in conjunction with the UAB the surveys and archaeological diggings. The participation of the National Park include founding for field research and analytics. The Natural Park of alt Pirineu has punctually collaborated with the archaeological and paleoenvironmental researches.
Chronological framework
As far as the research interests start in the initial colonization of high mountain environments at the end of the Pleistocene and arrives to the process of inclusion of these territories to the Classic States, the chronological framework covers from the Late Pleistocene until the first centuries calAD.
Research strategies and main objectives
Briefly, main objectives of the research:
1. To define the processes of human settlement in the high mountain areas and their diachronical variations, considering different key aspects: chronological issues, identification of productive activities, determination of internal and external social relations of the communities involved in, etc.
2. The inference of environmental conditions in where these processes occurred, both in a macro and microgeographical perspective.
3. To correlate the archaeological and paleoecological data in a multiproxy approach order to discern the climatic natural factors from those of anthropogenic origin in the high mountain landscapes across the different periods. This synthesis will help to understand the social dynamics of past populations in the study area not only of passive bi-products of ecological adaptations.
Methodology, interdisciplinarity and technique’s integration
The research strategies, concerning to the study of past populations in the area, start with the definition of a theoretical background of social life in order to identify the key questions to resolve considering the previous archaeological, historical, ethological… knowledge in nearest areas. Under this model, the emphasis is conducted to the empirical interdisciplinal research following the main programs. The archaeological one is focused in: 1) the realization of surface surveys in broad areas as a way to construct a first archaeological record, including the testing of some of these principally to dating them, and 2) the open area excavation of selected sites. The paleoecological research prioritizes the reconstruction of past vegetation through multiproxy analysis of sediment cores. Both activities consider a big spectrum of indicators that require the application of different methodologies. Finally the different kind of data are linked using chronological and GIS models in other to solve some of the key questions and to define new problematics.
Some of the methodologies and techniques used are:
Lithic tool analyses, specially technological and use wear analyses (there are some difficulties to identify the origin of some raw materials).
Ceramic analyses. Those include testing to obtain residues of the vessels.
Zooarchaeology and archaeobotanical (anthacology, palinology and carpology) analyses.
Spatial intra-site and supra-site analyses.
AMS dating.
Core analyses include: pollen, plant macroremains, microcharcoals, organic matter and chironomids
Main results
1. The elaboration of an archaeological record for the study area, including dozens of prehistoric contexts (supported by AMS datings) ranging from the Mesolithic to Roman times.
2. Open area excavations at: Abric de l’Estany de la Coveta I (Mesolithic, Late Neolithic and Historic), Cova del Sardo (Middle Neolithic to Calcolithic, Roman, Medieval and Modern) and Dolmen de la Font dels Coms (possible Mesolithic, Megalithic and Roman).
3. The different core analyses at Coma de Burg (a sequence of 16 m. ranging from the 16.000 bp to the actuality) and València d’Aneu (a sequence of 3.000 years).
4. The identification and study of prehistoric, protohistoric and roman metallurgy in the Pallars Sobirà area.
5. Different programs for the divulgation of the results in local present populations have been done.
Future perspectives and interests in mountain areas’ research Programs
In the future the researches will continue the lines done until now. Paleoenvironmental researches will be done in the Sant Nicolau area (Alta Ribagorça) where a cluster of Neolithic and Calcolithic contexts have been localized and are in process of excavation. Archaeological excavations in this area will continue in the Cova del Sardo and nearer sites. Surface surveys will be restart after a break of 1 year (to oder the data) in the northern area of the National Park.
As far of some of the data and problematics in different high mountain areas, specially in the Pyrenean, are recurrent, broad coordinate projects and exchange of researchers will be welcome.
Brief bibliography
Gassiot, E. i Jiménez, J. (2006) “La gestió del patrimoni arqueològic en el Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici”. A: G. Alcalde i M. Saña (ed.) Patrimoni arqueològic i espais d’interès natural. Treballs de Patrimoni Cultural 5. Girona; Documenta Universitària, pp. 93-102.
Gassiot, E. ; Jiménez, J.; Picón, A. (2005) “Producción metalúrgica en espacios de montaña: La explotación del hierro en el Pallars Sobirà durante la antigüedad”. In: F. López; L. F. Mazadiego; L. Jordá, (eds.) Minería y metalúrgia históricas en el Sudoeste europeo. Ciempozuelos : SEDPGYM y SEHA, p. 319-326
Gassiot, E. ; Jiménez, J.; Picón, A. (2006). “Nuevas Aportaciones al Estudio de la Prehistoria y la Protohistoria en las Zonas Altas del Pallars Sobirà: Planteamientos, Resultados y Potencialidad.” In: Simbolismo, Arte e Espaços Sagrados na Pré-história da Península Ibérica. Actas do IV Congreso de Arqueología Peninsular. Promotoria Monográfica 05. Faro: Universidade do Algarbe, pp. 169-179.
Gassiot, E., García, V. Celma. M. 2008. “Tres anys de recerca arqueològica al Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici”. En La investigación al Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici. VII Jornades sobre recerca al Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici. Lleida: Generalitat de Catalunya. Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, pp. 365-387.
Gassiot, E.; Jiménez, J. 2006. “El poblament prefeudal de l’alta muntanya dels Pirineus occidentals catalans (Pallars Sobirà i Alta Ribagorça)”. Tribuna d’Arqueologia, 89-122.
Pèlachs, A.; Nadal, J.; Soriano, Jm.; Esteban. A. (2007). "Holocene environmental history and the human impact in the Pyrenees". Contributions to Science, 3 (3): 423-431.
Pèlachs, A.; Pérez-Obiol, R.; Soriano, J.M.; Bal, M.-C. (en premsa). "El paisatge vegetal de les planes de son i la mata de valència d’àneu: una aproximació als darrers mil•lennis de geohistòria ambiental". In: Germain, J. (editor). Els sistemes naturals de les Planes de Son i la Mata de València d’Àneu. Fundació Territori i Paisatge i Institució Catalana d’Història Natural.
Pèlachs, A.; Soriano, J.M.; Esteban, A.; Piqué, R. I Matamala, N. (2006). "Antracología y palinología como herramientas complementarias para la caracterización de una perturbación en el Pirineo Central Catalán en época Tardoromana". In: Cadiñanos, J.A.; Ibabe, A.; Lozano, P.; Meaza, G.; Onaindia, M. (eds.) III Congreso Español de Biogeografía. Bilbao, Servicio editorial de la Universidad del País Vasco: 134-138.
Rapalino, V.; Marugán, C. Mª.; Gassiot, E.; Font, J.; Cazanueve, X.; Cases, Ll.; Bringué, J. Mª.; Adell, J. A. 2007. Un passeig per la història de Llavorsí. Lleida: Ajuntament de Llavorsí i Pagés Editors.
[edit] People and landscape in the Southern French Alps: cultural and environmental perspectives
Director
Current main research projects and aims
The aim of our principal research projects in the southern French Alps is to explain the various phases of settlement expansion and contraction in the high altitude zone (above 2000m), as well as associated changes in this alpine environment. Moreover, we wish to examine the range of socio-economic, cultural, and ideological processes that may have effected the utilisation of high-altitude areas in specific periods, both in terms of small-scale local changes, and wider regional-scale events. In addition, we attempt to examine the physical and perceptual relationships between people and their environments. The two principal study areas are; the Ecrins National Park and the Ubaye Valley and northern edge of the Mercantour National Park
Organisation and composition of the research teams and involved institutions
Researchers from the CNRS, Université de Provence, and the University of York have been collaborating now for over ten years. Contributors to this week include the following people: The following specialists have made essential contributions to our research in the Alps. The study of flint material was undertaken by S. Tzortzis (SRA, PACA) and C. Bressy, J.-P. Bracco and A. D’Anna (Economies, Sociétés, Environnements Préhistoriques, UMR 6636, Aix-en-Provence), and that of the ceramic material by L. Vallauri (Laboratoire d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne Médiévale, UMR 6572, Aix-en-Provence). Charcoal analysis by A. Durand (Laboratoire d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne Médiévale, UMR 6572, Aix-en-Provence) and B. Talon (Faculté de St Jérome, Université de Provence), Vanessa Py (l’Université d’Aix-Marseille I) and palynological work by J.-L. de Beaulieu (Institut Mediterraneen d’Ecologie et de Paleoecologie). The Parc Nationale des Ecrins and the Parc Nationale du Mercantour as well as the Service Régionale pour l’Archéologie (PACA) must also be thanked for their continued support of this project. The research in the Ubaye is co-directed with Dominique Garcia Centre Camille Jullian, CNRS/Université de Provence, Aix-en-Provence.
Chronological framework and Research strategies and main objectives
Our research covers all periods from the Mesolithic through to the post-medieval period. It is rare for such a chronological range of archaeological sites to be studied at this altitude (between 2000 and 2400m above sea level).
Previous research in our study area concentrated on lower altitudes; towards valley bottoms and the lower slopes between 1000 and 1500m. In the Ecrins, we have concentrated on research in the zones above 2000m.
In the Ubaye Valley, we have tried to study all of the different zones; from valley bottoms up to the alpine zone above 2200m. Whilst the Ubaye Valley is characterised as an open, easily accessible valley system, in comparison, the Ecrins is characterised by relatively narrow valleys, steep mountainsides, and high plateaux.
Methodology, interdisciplinarity and integration of technique's
Our research comprises archaeological survey and excavation combined with the use of palaeoecological evidence, especially the interpretation of pollen indicator species and anthracological data from the excavated archaeological sites (Walsh & Richer 2006). We hope that through the combination of our extensive archaeological data set and the palaeoecological record, a fuller picture of ‘human-environment’ relationships in the high-altitude areas over time will emerge.
Main results
The surface inspection and excavation of archaeological sites within the study areas has been ongoing since 1998. The project has thus far located and recorded many sites (c. 250 in the Ecrins and c. 120 in the Ubaye), ranging from Mesolithic flint scatters, to the remains of medieval stone-built structures (Walsh, Mocci, & Palet-Martinez 2007;Walsh 2005;Garcia, Mocci, & Walsh 2007). In both areas, the Mesolithic period is represented by flint scatters which indicate that people were coming up to these high altitudes to hunt during the summer months. This type of activity continued into the Neolithic period. Towards the end of this period, and into the Bronze Age (the late third and second millennia BC), we see the construction of the first stone structures at this altitude. These structures are usually identified as pastoral enclosures.
Once we come to the Iron Age, the nature of the evidence in the Ubaye and the Ecrins diverges. Whilst the high altitude zones (2000m and above) in both areas have yielded few sites for these periods, the Ubaye Valley is famous for the large number of Iron Age burials and metal work finds at lower altitudes. One of the most important sites that we have excavated is the Sagnes burnt mound which comprises evidence for feasting and the burial of people. No such sites are known in the Ecrins. At lower altitudes in the Ubaye Valley, small Roman settlement sites (villas and farms) have been found, whilst such evidence is rare in the Ecrins.
It seems that Iron Age and Roman settlement was concentrated at the lower altitudes. It is well-known that the Romans were wary of the high- altitude zones that were difficult to control. During the Medieval Period, especially from the 13th century onwards, there was an enormous increase in activity across the Alps. In the Ecrins, this is represented by a large number of structures at all altitudes, including the Alpine zone (above 2,200m). It seems that entire families lived and worked the high altitude zone during the summer. They were involved in both pastoral and silver mining activities. Despite climatic deterioration during the so-called “Little Ice Age” (16th – 19th centuries AD), there was a lot of activity in the alpine zone. One of the main observations from our high altitude study in the Ecrins is that climate does not seem to have a direct influence the ebb and flow of settlement.
Palaeoecological Results
The landscapes in our study area poster are relatively open and tree-less today, however, the pollen and charcoal evidence suggests that in the past these areas would have contained coniferous trees and birch. The use of palynological and non-pollen palynomorphs (NPP), mostly spores from dung fungi, have been used to illustrate that grazing by sheep and goats began in the high altitudes from the Bronze Age onwards. However, peaks in grazing activity appear to have occurred in the Iron Ages and the medieval/modern periods, as can be seen by the dung fungi (red) and anthropogenic indicator species (blue) in the diagram below. The large-scale increase in medieval and modern pastoral activity in the Ubaye valley is associated with the change from local pastoralism to large-scale transhumance, with animals brought to the mountains for summer pasture from the plains of Provence.
Future perspectives and interests in mountain areas' research programs
The research in the areas described above will continue for the foreseeable future. In the Ecrins, we plan to study areas closer to the centre of the park; areas that have been subject to the waxing and waning of glaciers in the recent past.
Reference List
1. Garcia,D., Mocci,F., & Walsh,K. (2007) Archéologie de la vallée de l'Ubaye (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France) : présentation des premiers résultats d'un Projet collectif de Recherche. Preistoria Alpina 42, 23-48.
2. Walsh,K., Mocci,F., & Palet-Martinez,J.M. (2007) Nine thousand years of human/landscape dynamics in a high altitude zone in the southern French Alps (Parc National des Ecrins (Hautes-Alpes (05)). Preistoria Alpina 42, 9-22.
3. Walsh,K. & Richer,S. (2006) Attitudes to altitude: changing meanings and perceptions within a "marginal" Alpine landscape – the integration of palaeoecological and archaeological data in a high altitude landscape in the French Alps. World Archaeology 38, 436-454.
4. Walsh,K. (2005) Risk and marginality at high altitudes: new interpretations from fieldwork on the Faravel Plateau, Hautes-Alpes. Antiquity - 79, 289-305.
[edit] The Rhodope Mountains
Director
General introduction
Many upland regions of the Balkan Peninsula were considered till recently particularly rich in the ethnographic and anthropological material. It is an area which still accommodates a mosaic of different cultures, way of lives, beliefs and practices as well as religions, the origin of which can be traced back to the pre-, proto- and historic periods. The isolated conditions of their existence due to environmental, historical and sociopolitical reasons have helped them to preserve pre-industrial forms of material culture and socioeconomic organization which are of particular importance for the understanding the more distant past.
Geographic setting and study area
Perhaps one of the most promising ethnographically areas of the Balkans is proving to be the region of mountainous Rhodope in northern Greece, an area which extends along the Greek-Bulgarian borders where the Slav speaking, Moslem minority group of Pomaks live. Although their origin as an ethnic group is a matter of debate, the available historical and anthropological evidence indicate that these upland communities have lived in the upland Rhodope area for hundreds of years exploiting specific geographical niches and forming specific cultural entities.
The Pomaks which today estimate two hundred thousand people live scattered in the mountainous areas of three neighboring countries: southern Bulgaria, northeastern Greece and European Turkey. Their marginal linguistic (non-written form), social, economic and political status make them particularly vulnerable to nationalistic discrimination policies and pressures which have serious effects on their cultural and ethnic identity as well as way of life.
The Pomak settlements of Thrace and more specifically the remote village of Sarakini, situated on the Greek-Bulgarian borders, were in recent years (1985-1995) the focus of systematic socio-anthropological and ethno-archaeological research and studies. The Pomak communities of the area live in large stone and wooden built houses covered by stone slabs for the construction of which non-industrial materials were used. Their economy was till recently self-sufficient with activities confined to gardening, agriculture, small-scale stock-breeding and tobacco cultivation. Exchange practices were confined to inter-community or local market scale. Traditional agricultural and pastoral practices in the area are characterized by the lack of modern machinery and methods, while the presence of complex, in their lay-out, animal-pens structures, made of wood, clay and straw, is impressive. The way the community space - habitation or productive - is organized and reproduced, biologically and socially, is particularly interesting following specific rules. The community is also characterized by a local hand-made pottery production. The prevailing social and economic organization unit is the household, the synthesis and function of which is complex, while their everyday beliefs are dominated by sorcery practices.
Research strategies - Main objectives
The main research strategy employed was ‘ethnoarchaeological’. This modern research strategy combined the recording of a fast disappearing body of ethnographic material culture and human practices which was used for understanding past organization forms and mechanisms of social and economic behavior. The ethnographic fieldwork in the area of Sarakini was based on the collection of data by trained archaeologists, and the help of social anthropologists. Data from the ethnographic present were used to understand the archaeological past either through ‘general analogical’ arguments or ‘experimental’ and ‘cautionary tale’ approaches.
In this context a surface reconnaissance project as well as systematic and rescue excavations were carried out in the vicinity of Sarakini, which provided a rich body of data from different chronological periods – Iron Age, Roman, Byzantine – and facilitated ‘direct historical’ ethnoarchaeological studies in this upland area of Greece.
The archaeological inquiry over the years covered issues of both general and specific interest covering subjects of i. human ecology, ii. social organization, iii. economic behavior, iv. land use arrangement, v. pottery making and vi. architectural practices. (See publications: number 1 to 6).
Audio and visual recordings were also used to document fast disappearing structures and practices like the building of wooden post-framed structures or pottery making.
Systematic photographic recordings during the course of the ten-year project covered many aspects of communal life i.e. people, traditional structures and houses, pastoral architecture, agricultural and stock-breeding practices, everyday life activities and traditional pottery production.
Although the actual ethnoarchaeological fieldwork in the area is now concluded, there are specific on going experiments like the recording of the decay process of an experimentally built, wooden and clay post-framed hut.
Future perspectives in mountain areas research programs
The main ethnoarchaeological work in the Rhodope mountains is now concluded. It was fortunate that the project has managed to anticipate the decisive socioeconomic and material changes, which has transformed the whole Balkan area over the last decade. The upland Pomak area in Greece is now days going through a rapid alienation stage on all aspects of community life, material, social, ideological and political.
Our upland research interests have now days turned to other parts of the country and more specifically to the alpine regions of the Pindus range in central Greece. Publication: number 7.
Publications
1. Ethnoarchaeological research in upland Rhodope. Thessaloniki. Vanias Publications, pages 398, 2002 (in greek).
2. Prehistoric habitation and structures in Northern Greece: an ethnoarchaeological case-study (Συνέδριο L' Habitat Egeen Prehistorique), BCH, Suppl. XIX, 33-41, 1990.
3. Production and distribution of a ceramic type in highland Rhodope: an ethnoarchaeological study, Origini, 311-328, 1993
4. The archaeology of the Greek uplands - the case of the Rhodope mountains, BSA, 88, 135-180. Athens 1993.
5. Pastoralism in highland Rhodope: archaeological implications from recent observations. In Bartosiewicz, L and Greenfield, H (eds) Transhumant pastoralism in Southern Europe: recent perspectives from archaeology,history, and ethnography, 145-158. Archaeolingua Publishers (Academy of Sciences), Budapest 1999.
6. Neolithic Households in Greece. The contribution of ethnoarchaeology. In Westgate, R, Fisher, N and J. Whitley (eds) Building Communities: House, Settlement and Society in the Aegean and Beyond, 29-39, Cardiff 2007.
7. Ethnoarchaeological study of phytolith assemblages from an agro-pastoral village in Northern Greece (Sarakini): development and application of a Phytolith Difference Index, (σε συνεργασία με Tsartsidou, G, Lev-Yadun, S, Efstratiou, N and S. Weiner. Journal Archaeological Science, 1-14, 2007 (in press).
8. Prehistoric exploitation of Grevena highland zones: hunters and herders along
The Pindus chain of Western Macedonia (Greece), (in collaboration with N, Biagi, P, Elefanti, P, Karkanas, P and M. Ntinou, World Archaeology, Special Issue ‘Archaeology at Altitude’vol. 38, 3, 415- 435, London 2006.
[edit] The Silvretta Project
Director
Abstract
In 2007 the Dept. for Pre- and Protohistory at the University of Zurich has started a new diachronic and multi-disciplinary study on human/landscape dynamics in the high-alpine zone of the Silvretta-moutains (central Eastern-Alps) along the Swiss-Austrian border (2000 - 2800 m a.s.l.). The main issue of the project is to carry out a long-term history of human settlement and activity in the high altitude space together with palaeoenvironmental research and ethnoarchaeology, focussing on prehistoric alpine pasturing.
The Silvretta-zone (Switzerland/Austria) was chosen for several reasons:
- It is a totally unexplored area from the archaeological point of view, as the region is situated near the border of Switzerland and Austria. So especially the survey-activities are a first important step for a registration and future protection of (pre-)historic sites.
- From the valley south of the Silvretta-mountains – the Lower Engadin (1500 m a.s.l.) – several Bronze and Iron-Age hilltop-settlements were excavated in the 2nd half of the 20th century. Despite still remaining mainly unpublished, the knowledge about these sites is a very important link to the high-alpine activities, esp. regarding prehistoric alpine pasturing. As far as we know, there are no workable raw materials (copper...).
- There are several transalpine routes running through the research-area, which are thought to be already used since the Meso-/Neolithic (route Italy – Switzerland – Austria – region of Lake Constance). In the 20th century, moreover several archaeological findings were made on ice-patches along this route (snow-shoe, horseshoes...).
- Palaeobotanical research, which has been already carried out in some of these valleys, show human presence and activities together with environmental changes since the Neolithic. So we hope to catch the suitable archaeological data.
- Another, more sophisticated reason is the opportunity to get money for the inter-national project from both concerned countries, Austria and Switzerland.
Chronological framework
Mesolithic – 20th century
Main objectives
So the main issue of the project is to carry out a wide-range field-survey for the systematic registration of all human remains in the Silvretta-area. Continuos survey-activities are planned until at least 2010 (better till 2013), every summer also as university-field-school for students. Interventions by excavation are as minimal as possible at this stage of project, focussing on generating samples for radiocarbon-dating and archaeobiological material. All field-data are processed in a GIS.
Organisation and composition of the research teams and involved institutions
Several institutions and persons are involved in the project
University of Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (GIS, Photogrammetry, 3D-Modelling, Airborne-Laserscanning), University of Innsbruck (Inst. f. Botany, Inst. f. Geography: Palaeoenvironmental reserach), local Departements for Monuments and Sites, local communities.
First results
First results of a field-survey 2007 identified a number of different phases of human occupation since the end of the last Ice Age with intense prehistoric and (post)medieval pastoral activities/structures. From 2008 to 2010/2013 the archaeological field work will intensify the survey and study selected areas by excavation. Palynological and palaebotanical research should allow a parallel reconstruction of the natural and cultural landscapes of the Silvretta, GIS-based analyses are used for modeling the ecological and economical background of archaelogical sites.
To complete, we will try to publish the important excavations of the 1950-/1960-period, now fitting perfectly to our high-alpine strategy (e.g. 1000s of animal-bones from pastoral farming; analysis of stable isotope).
Regarding the quickly melting Alpine glaciers and ice-patches, we try to inform and make people (hikers, climbers) more sensitive to potential findings along the still glaciated pass-routes.
Moreover
Networking with other areas touching similar topics, especially to improve methods and results.
Public relations work (exhibitions, tours) and publications.
