236View
1m 6sLenght

Archaeologists working in the southern French Alpine Mountains have uncovered evidence that humans might have lived in that area over 8 thousand years ago. Archaeologists working in the southern French Alps have uncovered evidence that humans might have lived in that area over 8 thousand years ago. Previous research suggested that ancient humans were not active in the remote areas of the mountains and did not attempt to settle at high altitudes. But the latest archaeological findings from a 14 year long study of the Parc National des Eìcrins show that Bronze Age humans built structures on seasonal grazing land, as well as possible hunting camps used by ancient humans. Doctor Kevin Walsh, landscape archaeologist at the University of York, who worked on the study said: "The nature of these landscapes and the fact that no-one had ever carried out fieldwork in these areas meant that we had...numerous phases of work involving long treks over difficult ground and sometimes in challenging weather. The evidence suggests the landscape was occupied over many centuries marking the start of a more sustained management of the alpine landscape and the development of the pastoral agricultural systems we see in the Alps today." Fieldwork began in 1998, and data was collected from over 300 sites in the area.