Pathways and mobility in upland landscapes. The relationship between transhumant routes and settlement position in mountain areas of Western Europe

27th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA): Widening Horizons

Kiel. Germany
Conference. 2021

This study aims to investigate the role of human mobility in the construction of pastoral landscapes in two areas in the French Alp, the Byaisse and Fournel valleys in the Parc National des Ecrins and the Ubaye Valley. The approach is informed by previous research in Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes (Central Pyrenees, Spain). The new investigation is part of the PATHWAy project which investigated the emergence and development of long-distance transhumance in the Western Alps from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages.

In this context, we are conducting research on the ancient routes taken by shepherds and their flocks and herds. We employ several data types in the reconstruction of ancient pathways. Some of these clues are topographic, such as elevation, slope or insolation, the others are linked to the, social and economic contexts or to the physical conditions of humans and animals. Consequently, we collect different data in a multidisciplinary approach. We first collect ethnographic and historical data by studying ancient cadastres and review studies undertaken by ethnographers since the 20th century. These data facilitate the visualisation of ancient pathways. These pathways are integrated to a GIS. We then compare the location of archaeological sites with the layouts of pathways to verify possible connections. Thanks to this regressive approach, we try to select the most relevant elements which determine pathways according to the chronological period. The next step is the integration of environmental data like hydrography, and forest clearance. Finally, we test these elements using spatial analysis to postulate the networks of ancient pathways. In summary, we aim to determine ancient transhumant routes derived from topographical, historical, ethnographic and environmental data. The results of this study will be used to improve the knowledge about the long-term evolution of pastoral activities in mountain landscapes.

Transhumant routes. GIS. Ancient pathways. Ethnography. Alpine landscape.