This paper elucidates the nature of human–environment interactions in a mountainous landscape (the southern zone of the Ecrins, French Alps) from the Mesolithic through to the Post-Medieval Period. We present an integrated programme of palynology, pedo- and archaeo-anthracology, and archaeology. These data permit the development of a historical ecology that allows us to differentiate between climatic and anthropogenic influences on vegetation, and the development of anthropogenic landscapes in an Alpine region. This study is of profound relevance for the broader understanding of human–environment interactions in ecologically sensitive environments both within the Alpine arc, but also beyond this region.
We identify and explain evidence for possible human landscape management practices in a high altitude landscape. Palynology defines the broad floral context and evolution of the environment through the Holocene. Palynology also permits an assessment of human activities and practices (arable agriculture, pastoralism and haymaking). The combination of these data with anthracological and archaeological evidence permits a nuanced assessment of human interaction with the landscape. We consider phases of anthropological–ecological succession across the range of altitudes, from valley-bottom to the alpine zones in the Ecrins National Park.
Four important stages of landscape use and change have been inferred from our evidence: the Mesolithic, the Chalcolithic/Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman, and (Post)Medieval. During the Mesolithic (c. 8000–4500 BC), a major event is the expansion of fir in the montane stage. At higher altitudes, people exploit the ecotone, defined by the forest edge (or tree-line): an ideal zone for hunting. The Neolithic sees low-altitude clearances, but a continuation of hunting and low levels of human impact on high-altitude vegetation. The Chalcolithic/Bronze Age (2400–1000 BC) sees complex interplay of climatic changes, and the appearance of direct human intervention in the high altitude landscape as part of a new transhumant system. Although the Roman Period is characterised by phases of climatic amelioration after the deterioration of the Iron Age, the increase in human activity that is usually seen in low-lying areas is not reflected in the sub-alpine and alpine altitudes. The Medieval Period, including the Little Ice Age, witnesses a steady increase in human use of these landscapes, with forest manipulation and clearance becoming the defining characteristics of these areas. Despite the supposed inclement nature of the Little Ice Age, human activity achieves its zenith, and the combination people and climate produces the most open and managed landscape of the Holocene.
This paper elucidates the nature of human–environment interactions in a mountainous landscape (the southern zone of the Ecrins, French Alps) from the Mesolithic through to the Post-Medieval Period. We present an integrated programme of palynology, pedo- and archaeo-anthracology, and archaeology. These data permit the development of a historical ecology that allows us to differentiate between climatic and anthropogenic influences on vegetation, and the development of anthropogenic landscapes in an Alpine region. This study is of profound relevance for the broader understanding of human–environment interactions in ecologically sensitive environments both within the Alpine arc, but also beyond this region.
We identify and explain evidence for possible human landscape management practices in a high altitude landscape. Palynology defines the broad floral context and evolution of the environment through the Holocene. Palynology also permits an assessment of human activities and practices (arable agriculture, pastoralism and haymaking). The combination of these data with anthracological and archaeological evidence permits a nuanced assessment of human interaction with the landscape. We consider phases of anthropological–ecological succession across the range of altitudes, from valley-bottom to the alpine zones in the Ecrins National Park.
Four important stages of landscape use and change have been inferred from our evidence: the Mesolithic, the Chalcolithic/Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman, and (Post)Medieval. During the Mesolithic (c. 8000–4500 BC), a major event is the expansion of fir in the montane stage. At higher altitudes, people exploit the ecotone, defined by the forest edge (or tree-line): an ideal zone for hunting. The Neolithic sees low-altitude clearances, but a continuation of hunting and low levels of human impact on high-altitude vegetation. The Chalcolithic/Bronze Age (2400–1000 BC) sees complex interplay of climatic changes, and the appearance of direct human intervention in the high altitude landscape as part of a new transhumant system. Although the Roman Period is characterised by phases of climatic amelioration after the deterioration of the Iron Age, the increase in human activity that is usually seen in low-lying areas is not reflected in the sub-alpine and alpine altitudes. The Medieval Period, including the Little Ice Age, witnesses a steady increase in human use of these landscapes, with forest manipulation and clearance becoming the defining characteristics of these areas. Despite the supposed inclement nature of the Little Ice Age, human activity achieves its zenith, and the combination people and climate produces the most open and managed landscape of the Holocene.
Titre
en
A historical ecology of the Ecrins (Southern French Alps): Archaeology and palaeoecology of the Mesolithic to the Medieval period
Auteur(s)
Kevin Walsh1
, Mona Court-Picon2
, Jacques-Louis de Beaulieu3
, F. Guiter4, 5, 3
, Florence Mocci6
, Suzi Richer
, R. Sinet
, Brigitte Talon3
, Stéfan Tzortzis
1
Dept of Archaeology,
( 486938 )
- King's Manor, University of York, York YO1 7EP
- Royaume-Uni
University of York [York, UK] ( 124942 )
2
IRSNB -
Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique
( 303013 )
- Bruxelles
- Belgique
3
IMBE -
Institut méditerranéen de biodiversité et d'écologie marine et continentale
( 188653 )
- Aix Marseille Université, Campus Etoile, Faculté St-Jérôme case 421 Av. . escadrille Normandie-Niemen 13397 MARSEILLE CEDEX 20
- France
Avignon Université UMR7263 ( 195507 )
;
Aix Marseille Université UMR7263 ( 198056 )
;
Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UMR237 UMR7263 ( 302715 )
;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7263 ( 441569 )
4
CEREGE -
Centre européen de recherche et d'enseignement des géosciences de l'environnement
( 199954 )
- Europôle Méditerranéen de l'Arbois - Avenue Louis Philibert - BP 80 - 13545 Aix-en-Provence cedex 4
- France
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement UMR_D161 ( 67872 )
;
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique UMR1410 ( 92114 )
;
Aix Marseille Université UM34 ( 198056 )
;
Collège de France UMR7330 ( 300026 )
;
Institut national des sciences de l'Univers ( 300045 )
;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7330 ( 441569 )
5
ECCOREV -
Ecosystèmes continentaux et risques environnementaux
( 96756 )
- Europôle de l'Arbois
BP 80
13545 Aix-en-Provence cedex 4
- France
Aix Marseille Université FR3098 ( 198056 )
;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique FR3098 ( 441569 )
6
CCJ -
Centre Camille Jullian - Histoire et archéologie de la Méditerranée et de l'Afrique du Nord de la protohistoire à la fin de l'Antiquité
( 199915 )
- 5 Rue du château de l'Horloge - BP 647 13094 AIX EN PROVENCE CEDEX 2
- France
Aix Marseille Université UMR7299 ( 198056 )
;
Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication UMR7299 ( 300125 )
;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7299 ( 441569 )
Quat. Int. -
Quaternary International
(ISSN : 1040-6182)
Publié par Elsevier
Revue non référencée dans Sherpa-Romeo
Vulgarisation
Non
Comité de lecture
Oui
Audience
Internationale
Date de publication
2014
Date de publication électronique
2013
Titre de la collection
Environmental History of European High Mountains
Domaine(s)
Sciences de l'Homme et Société/Archéologie et Préhistoire
Financement
ECCOREV - ARCHIPEL-Ecrins « ARCHéologie, Impact anthropique et PaléoEcoLogie dans le massif des Ecrins », Conséquences des dynamiques de peuplement humain sur le paysage, depuis l’étage montagnard jusqu’à l’étage alpin (coord. B. Talon, IMEP)
du GDR “JurAlp” « Dynamique holocène de l’environnement dans le Jura et les Alpes:du climat à l’homme » 2006-2009 (Sections 31, 32 et 20 du CNRS) ( dir. M. Magny, M. Desmet et F. Mocci)
Programme FRECHALP : La haute vallée de FReissinières : Empreinte humaine et CHangements des paysages d’un espace ALPin depuis 10 000 ans (Hautes Alpes, Parc national des Ecrins), Projet Appel Ouvert Conseil Régional PACA-CNRS-ECCOREV (dir. F. Mocci)
Collaboration/Projet
ECCOREV
Mots-clés
en
Mountain, holocene, human–environment, landscape, Alpine, palynology, pedo- and archaeo-anthracology, archaeology, pastoralism, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, (Post)Medieval
Kevin Walsh, Mona Court-Picon, Jacques-Louis de Beaulieu, F. Guiter, Florence Mocci, et al.. A historical ecology of the Ecrins (Southern French Alps): Archaeology and palaeoecology of the Mesolithic to the Medieval period. Quaternary International, 2014, Environmental History of European High Mountains, 353, pp.52-73. ⟨10.1016/j.quaint.2013.08.060⟩. ⟨halshs-01478731⟩