By
Sabina Ghislandi (presenter)
Anna Maria Stagno (scientific supervisor)
Summary
Archaeological research in mountainous regions frequently encounters a paucity of material evidence, challenging to interpret. In these cases, geoarchaeological analyses can be a powerful tool for detecting indicators of past uses and activities. This contribution illustrates the geoarchaeological results of the investigations – within the ANTIGONE Project (ERC-StG2019) framework – conducted on the Entzia Plateau (Álava, Basque Country), used as common land for agro-silvo-pastoral practices since the Middle Ages. Archaeological surveys identified the remains of several collapsed dry-stone structures, hypothesised as shepherd huts or sheepfold. Excavation tests yielded limited macroscopic evidence. Thus, soil micromorphological and chemical analyses were undertaken, to detect microscopic traces indicative of human or animal activity. The results revealed the presence of microfeatures strictly related to the deposit within the structures, which suggest the use of these constructions for human occupation rather
Keywords
Geoarqueología. Arqueología del Paisaje. Pastoreo. País Vasco.