Background to this year's excavations

We have now been working in the Serre de l'Homme area of the Fournel Valley (Parc National des Ecrins) for three years. Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age and Medieval sites are scattered along the upper reaches of this valley between 2,200m to 2,350m asl. Last year we started work on the most complicated series of animal enclosures and associated "domestic" structures yet found in the French Alps (indeed anywhere in the high altitude zone of the Alpine Arc). The aim this year was to complete work on two structures that form part of the sequence at Serre de l'Homme (the upper reaches of the Fournel Valley). The sites in this area has thus far produced Late Neolithic to Middle Bronze Age 14C dates. This work is directed by Kevin Walsh (Department of Archaeology, University of York) and Florence Mocci (Centre Camille Jullian, CNRS, Aix-en-Provence)

The study area is situated to the northeast of Gap in the Parc National des Ecrins (Southern French Alps)

This year's excavations took place at the western end of the Haut Fournel Valley.

Preparing for the hike upto the Serre de l'Homme area - the daunting looking peaks in the background...

Crossing the early summer pastures at 1900m on the way to the study area

Sheep with their leading Bouc in the lower altitude pasture - these will move upto 2300m at Serre de l'Homme in August

The final part of the journey upto the study area

Deturfing at Serre de l'Homme XIX in the afternoon

Deturfing at Serre de l'Homme XIX in the afternoon after our arrival at Serre de l'Homme

Last year's contour survey and general plan of main sites on the moraine at Serre de l'Homme

The plan shown here presents a contour survey of the moraine and the situation of Serre de l'Homme XI (and the two phases of activity based on 14C dates). Excavations continued on this site, as well as on Serre de l'Homme XIX to the east. A new series of structures was also surveyed, and the digital terrain model was extended in all directions.

A digital terrain model of the entire area will allow us to present the topographical situation of the sites that have been surveyed and excavated

Trying to recapture Carolin the angry mule

Despite the predominance of nice pictures with blue skies, it is not always like that!

Waiting for the rain to stop

The two sites excavated this year are situated on the morraine ridge (left of centre)

The moraine, shown here, is abutted by two lower areas that provide pasture. It is certain that the area on the left would have been very marshy in the past. It is also possible that the area on the right of the moraine was also wetter. The sites were thus located above the wet areas, and in some instances, actually abutting these marshy zones (see images towards the end of the blog).

The "A-team" on Serre de l'Homme XIX after the rain

Flecks of charcoal in an auger sample taken from the exterior of Serre de l'Homme XI

The charcoal found (in the lower (left) part of this sample) indicates that the area was burnt just prior to the establishment of the structures at Serre de l'Homme XI. Evidence for management/preparation of the area for pasture...?

The morning after the storm

Nicolas Coquet (Univ' Franche Comte) and Jules Jegou (Univ Montpellier)

Vincent Dumas (CNRS, Centre Camille Jullian)

A frog on site...

From left to right - Jonhattan Vidal, Claudia Defrasne and Baptiste Vappereau

Serre de l'Homme XIX during excavation

Recording Serre de l'Homme XIX

All features on the sites were recorded using a total station and photogrammetry.