Early Neolithic coastal settlements are well known in Corsica as in other western Mediterranean areas, e.g. Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia and South of France. However evidence for mountainous settlements, in particular in the...
moreEarly Neolithic coastal settlements are well known in Corsica as in other western Mediterranean areas, e.g. Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia and South of France. However evidence for mountainous settlements, in particular in the highest fringe of the island, remains sporadic. The on-going archaeological study of a rock-shelter located at 2140m asl, near Corte, indicates that the highest mountainous areas of Corsica have been occupied and exploited since the 6th millennia BC. The rock-shelter occupation can be strongly linked with the exploitation of volcanic rocks outcrops (mainly rhyolite) and an open air settlement located in a small wetland (“I Pozzi”, 2000m asl), where organic sediments have been retrieved.
A multi proxy study, combining archaeological and paleo-environmental techniques (archaeological excavation and survey; geological survey; artefacts typology and raw materials sourcing, e.g. ceramic, obsidian; charcoal identification; pollen and NPPs analyses; micromorphology; magnetic susceptibility and particle size analyses) supported by 14C-AMS dates, are being carried out. The aim is to gain a better understanding of Neolithic economy in mountainous territories. The first results show a significant potential for the reconstruction of anthropogenic and environmental interactions in a remote landscape.
The research questions are predominantly focused on (1) the nature of the activities carried out at this seasonal settlement, considering the local geomorphological context and available resources; (2) the possible resilience or variations of activities through the chronological period considered; (3) the dynamics of vegetation change (tree line variation and anthropogenic indicators) and soil formation process, in relation with climate change and the potential impact of the introduction of agro-pastoral activities; (4) the role of Pinus in the forest cover assemblage and the potential use of pine resin in the tool making process linked with the nearby outcrop; (5) the interactions at a local and regional scales, but also in a wider context by demonstrating the links with the western Mediterranean.
This study, combined with previous studies of highland west Mediterranean occupations, enhances our understanding of the Neolithisation process of Mediterranean marginal landscapes.
