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[ES] Este artículo trata sobre los sitios arqueológicos de época medieval descubiertos en el Parque Nacional de Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, que se localiza en el Pirineo occidental catalán. A través del análisis arqueológico, combinado con los estudios paleoambientales, se discute sobre el rol histórico de la ganadería estacional en los valles pirenaicos de alta montaña y cómo esta actividad, juntamente con la agricultura, estructuró el territorio y modificó el paisaje. Asimismo, se presentan algunas hipótesis que contextualizan históricamente la materialidad arqueológica expuesta en este trabajo. En definitiva, se pone en valor el estudio arqueológico de las zonas de alta montaña para las investigaciones sobre el pastoreo en época medieval y los orígenes de la trashumancia., [EN] This article is focused on the medieval archaeological sites recorded in the Aigüestor tes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, located in the western Catalan Pyrenees. The archaeological analysis combined with palaeoenvironmental studies are used to discuss the historical role of seasonal livestock farming in the high mountain valleys of the Pyrenees. The goal is showing how this activity, combined with agriculture, structured the territory and modified the landscape. It also presents some hypotheses to contextualise the archaeological record within the historical knowledge of the region. In shor t, it highlights the value of the archaeological study of high mountain areas for research into pastoralism in medieval times and the origins of transhumance.

This paper investigates ancient pastoral mobility in a high mountain area of the Pyrenees. Firstly, modern transhumant routes were analysed using GIS tools in order to understand possible determinant factors (such as terrain slope and altitude, water courses and possible nodes) in the layout of a route used for seasonal livestock movements. The observations obtained were then used to model optimal paths which may have been used by ancient shepherds. Subsequently, an analysis was made of the spatial relationship between the simulated paths and the dispersion pattern of archaeological sites in two time periods: Late Antiquity-Medieval (3rd-14th centuries AD) and Modern-Contemporary (18th-20th centuries AD). The results show significant differences in the spatial distribution of the sites throughout both periods in terms of accessibility and proximity to possible pathways. This variability provides information concerning historical changes in the social structure of pastoral alpine landscapes over long periods of time.

Although new to our discipline, the archaeology of high mountain areas is steadily growing, generating empirical studies and procedures that often define it. Aside from the diversity of research teams and programs, certain aspects tend to recur. One is a certain interest in long-term sequences. Another is a wide spatial perspective, extending far beyond the limits of the settlement. This interest in the territory or landscape, which is sometimes the real object of study, results in changes in the methodological design of the research. In this paper we intend to bring together almost 20 years of experience of the High Mountain Archaeology Group (GAAM) of the UAB and CSIC to present a brief theoretical reflection on an area that we believe is central to our discipline. Archaeology as a social science deals with a collective human existence that occurs both in time and space. For various reasons, archaeology in high moun-tain areas has been especially open to incorporating methodological elements to deal with space as a social instance too. Perhaps the time has come to begin to evaluate the strengths of these proposals and to try to identify those issues that deserve more attention. In the final part of the article, we use an empirical example to briefly illustrate the relevance of the theoretical reflec-tion proposed., [ES] Aunque reciente en nuestra disciplina, la arqueología de las zonas de alta montaña poco a poco va consolidándose, generando corpus empíricos y procedimientos que en muchas ocasiones constituyen sus señas de identidad. Por encima de la diversidad de equipos y programas de investigación, algunos aspectos tienden a presentarse de forma recurrente. Uno es un cierto interés por las secuencias de larga duración. Otro lo constituye la mirada hacia un espacio amplio, que va mucho más allá del asentamiento. Este interés por el territorio o el paisaje, que en ocasiones se prefigura como un verdadero objeto de estudio, conlleva cambios en el diseño metodológico de la investigación. En este trabajo pretendemos recoger los ya casi 20 años de experiencia del Grupo de Arqueología de la Alta Montaña (GAAM) de la UAB y el CSIC para presentar una breve reflexión teórica sobre un aspecto que, a nuestro entender, es central en nuestra disciplina. La arqueología, en cuanto ciencia social, aborda una existencia humana colectiva que ocurre tanto en el tiempo como en el espacio. Por diversos motivos, la arqueolo-gía en áreas de alta montaña ha sido especialmente proclive a incorporar elementos metodológi-cos para tratar con el espacio también como instancia social. Quizás está llegando el momento para empezar a evaluar los puntos fuertes de estas propuestas y tratar de identificar aquellas cuestiones que merecen mayor atención. En la parte final del artículo ilustramos, con un caso empírico, la pertinencia de la reflexión teórica planteada.

[EN] This paper aims to shed light on the process of excavation and analysis of lithic materials from limestone contexts such as those in the southern Pyrenees. The knowledge acquired from excavation of Coro Trasito (Tella-Sin, Huesca) enables us to distinguish between clasts and natural fragments of the cave itself, a series of limestone flakes and fragments that show traces of having been used as working tools. This group represents 33.3% of the lithic remains recovered at the site, with a percentage similar to that of flint (33.1%). This count does not include the limestone cobbles that have been recorded at other Early Neolithic sites in the central Pyrenees. The absence of this record in other sites does not allow comparisons to be made regarding the technological development of the Neolithic groups that inhabited this territory., [ES] Con este trabajo queremos llamar la atención sobre el proceso de excavación y análisis de materiales líticos provenientes de contextos calizos, como son los correspondientes a la vertiente sur de los Pirineos. La experiencia adquirida durante la excavación de Coro Trasito (Tella-Sin, Huesca) nos ha permitido distinguir entre los clastos y los fragmentos naturales de la propia cueva, una serie de lascas y fragmentos de caliza que presentan rastros de haber sido utilizados como instrumentos de trabajo. Este conjunto supone el 33,3% de los restos líticos recuperados en el sitio, porcentaje similar al del sílex (un 33,1%). En este conteo no se contemplan los cantos en caliza, que sí se han registrado en otros sitios del Neolítico antiguo del Pirineo central. La ausencia de este registro en otros yacimientos no permite realizar comparaciones en cuanto al desarrollo tecnológico de los grupos neolíticos que habitaron ese territorio. [CAT] Amb aquest treball volem cridar l’atenció sobre el procés d’excavació i anàlisi de materials lítics provinents de contextos calcaris, com són els corresponents al vessant sud dels Pirineus. L’experiència adquirida durant l’excavació de Coro Trasito (Tella-Sin, Osca) ens ha permès distingir entre els clastos i els fragments naturals de la mateixa cova, una sèrie d’ascles i fragments de calcària que presenten rastres d’haver estat utilitzats com a instruments de treball. Aquest conjunt representa el 33,3% de les restes lítiques recuperades en el lloc, percentatge similar al del sílex (un 33,1%). En aquest comptatge no es consideren els còdols de calcària, que sí que s’han registrat en altres llocs del Neolític antic del Pirineu central. L’absència d’aquest registre en altres jaciments no permet fer comparacions quant al desenvolupament tecnològic dels grups neolítics que van habitar aquest territori.

After years of intense fieldwork, our knowledge about the Neolithisation of the Pyrenees has considerably increased. In the southern central Pyrenees, some previously unknown Neolithic sites have been discovered at subalpine and alpine altitudes (1,000–1,500 m a.s.l.). One of them is Cueva Lóbrica, 1,170 m a.s.l., which has an occupation phase with impressed pottery dated ca. 5400 cal BCE. Another is Coro Trasito, 1,558 m a.s.l., a large rock shelter that preserves evidence of continuous occupations in the Early Neolithic, 5300–4600 cal BCE. Evidence of human occupation at higher altitudes has also been documented. In the Axial Pyrenees, at the Obagues de Ratera rock shelter, 2,345 m a.s.l., an occupation has been dated to around 5730–5600 cal BCE. At Cova del Sardo, in the Sant Nicolau Valley, at 1,780 m a.s.l., a series of occupations have been excavated, dated to ca. 5600–4500 cal BCE. These sites allow us to discuss patterns of occupation of the mountainous areas between the Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic. Recent data suggest that the last hunter–gatherer occupied all altitudinal stages of the Pyrenees, both in the outer and inner ranges. A change in the settlement pattern seems to have occurred in the Early Neolithic, which consisted of a concentration of occupations in the valley bottom and mid-slopes, in biotopes favourable to both herding and agriculture.

Scatterplot of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, with the height of the wall and the inner surface of the huts.

En los últimos años la investigación arqueológica en áreas de montaña y de alta montaña del Pirineo ha permitido ampliar considerablemente las evidencias de la ocupación humana prehistórica en estos espacios. En este sentido, en apenas 15 años se ha producido un marcado incremento de las evidencias de un poblamiento de la cordillera durante los primeros siglos del Neolítico, tanto por el número de yacimientos conocidos como por el estudio extensivo de algunos de ellos. En este trabajo presentamos un nuevo yacimiento con diversas ocupaciones del Neolítico antiguo: Artiga Viturián. Consiste en una cueva que se localiza en la vertiente sur de la sierra de Tucas, a escasos 1000 m de distancia lineal de Coro Trasito y a 1440 m de altitud en la que, hasta este momento, se ha realizado un sondeo en la sala adyacente a la entrada, que ha proporcionado diversos estratos con materiales arqueológicos que tienen una cronología similar a las fechas de Coro Trasito.

La comunicación que presentamos a las VII Jornadas de Investigación del Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido hace referencia a uno de los aspectos del Patrimonio Cultural del Parque Nacional más desconocido hasta este momento. Se trata de una parte del potencial arqueológico que existe en este espacio protegido, que no deja de sorprendernos por su importancia, diversidad y por la antigüedad de los hallazgos.

In recent years, new archaeological research has highlighted relatively early neolithisation in different areas of the axial Pyrenees. Sites like Coro Trasito, Cueva Lóbrica, Els Trocs and Cova del Sardo show a consolidated presence of human communities with farming and animal husbandry and a fully Neolithic material culture at the end of the sixth millennium and the beginning of the fifth millennium cal BC. The arrival of this new way of life involved a change in former settlement patterns, with the abandonment of sites in high areas, over 2200 m a.s.l., which had been occupied in the Mesolithic. In turn, human settlement focused on lower mountain areas, between 1400 and 1800 m a.s.l. Renewed settlement around and over the current timberline would take place during the second half of the Neolithic, at the end of the third millennium cal BC. For this period, palaeoecological data suggest a clear expansion of pastures linked to anthropogenic factors. The paper presents an analysis of the dynamic construction of social territories through the modelling of a simulation of changing settlement patterns and uses of the space.

This study investigates changes in human occupation and pastoralism in a zone of the central Pyrenees (Spain) from their first occurrences to the present day, based on an analysis of archaeological structures recorded at sites in the study area. Huts, enclosures, rock-shelters and other architectural remains were analysed and compared in order to develop a typological classification, and morphological similarities and differences between sites in terms of size and number of structures were also noted. The study proposes a sociohistorical interpretation of the differences in the archaeological record within a long-term chronological framework, in this way building a historical sequence of livestock practices and human occupation in the Pyrenees.

Sobre la temática de la protección y conservación de los restos arqueológicos en el paisaje cultural del sitio Pirineos-Monte Perdido, inscrito en la Lista de Patrimonio Mundial por sus valores naturales y culturales, explicaremos cuáles son los planteamientos que venimos siguiendo para la protección y conservación del patrimonio arqueológico, a partir de la colaboración entre equipos de investigación e instituciones. Abordaremos también las posibilidades de acción en materia de conservación teniendo en cuenta la aparición de nuevos agentes en el territorio y cómo proteger estos yacimientos frente a las avalanchas de turistas o montañeros.

Les recherches archéologiques menées ces dernières années dans les zones hautes des Pyrénées ont fait progresser les connaissances sur le peuplement de la montagne dans la longue durée historique. Plus concrètement, dans le Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, la recherche a mis en évidence une longue séquence de peuplement humain et d'exploitation de l'environnement, du mésolithique au 20e siècle. Cette communication présente les informations archéologiques et paléoenvironnementales datées de l'Antiquité au début du Moyen Âge. A cette période, les sites archéologiques connaissent un fort développement. L'apparition de nouveaux types de peuplement et les traces l'impact anthropique permettent de déduire une intensification de l'activité agropastorale. Cette dernière s’accentue au cours du Bas Empire et se poursuit tout au long du haut Moyen Âge.

After years of intense fieldwork, our knowledge about the Neolithisation of the Pyrenees has considerably increased. In the southern central Pyrenees, some previously unknown Neolithic sites have been discovered at subalpine and alpine altitudes (1,000¿1,500 m a.s.l.). One of them is Cueva Lóbrica, 1,170 m a.s.l., which has an occupation phase with impressed pottery dated ca. 5400 cal BCE. Another is Coro Trasito, 1,558 m a.s.l., a large rock shelter that preserves evidence of continuous occupations in the Early Neolithic, 5300¿4600 cal BCE. Evidence of human occupation at higher altitudes has also been documented. In the Axial Pyrenees, at the Obagues de Ratera rock shelter, 2,345 m a.s.l., an occupation has been dated to around 5730¿5600 cal BCE. At Cova del Sardo, in the Sant Nicolau Valley, at 1,780 m a.s.l., a series of occupations have been excavated, dated to ca. 5600¿4500 cal BCE. These sites allow us to discuss patterns of occupation of the mountainous areas between the Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic. Recent data suggest that the last hunter¿gatherer occupied all altitudinal stages of the Pyrenees, both in the outer and inner ranges. A change in the settlement pattern seems to have occurred in the Early Neolithic, which consisted of a concentration of occupations in the valley bottom and mid-slopes, in biotopes favourable to both herding and agriculture

For the last twenty years, various interdisciplinary research programs have been studying human presence in high mountain environments and how the different activities carried out there have impacted on the landscape and transformed it since the Early Holocene. Grazing, hunting, mining, and charcoal-making are the most significant outdoor productive activities that have been detected. At the same time, on a day-to-day basis, there was a daily household firewood management, studied here, which was related to fires for cooking, heat and light, as basic needs to be satisfied in the caves and rock-shelters occupied in this high-mountain territory since Prehistory. This paper presents the anthracological results from three sites located in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (PNAESM) in the Central Pyrenees occupied between the 9th and the 1st millennia cal BCE. In the PNAESM, different types of occupations have been identified in a basic spatial distribution by a hearth and some artefacts associated with past daily life. In the limit between the upper montane and the subalpine zones, at 1,790 m a.s.l., Sardo Cave contains a sequence of seasonal occupations (4600-2500 cal BCE) that used local wood selected according to their needs. In the limit between the subalpine and alpine zones, firewood-gathering would have taken place in the surroundings of the sites from what was available at any moment. However the occupations identified in the rock-shelters of Estany de la Coveta I (7001-3028 cal BCE) at 2,430 m a.s.l. and Obagues de Ratera (8182-540 cal BCE) at 2,323 m a.s.l. seem to be short-term. In the context of the Central and Eastern Pyrenees, this appears to be the general pattern that will be better defined as more anthracological analyses are performed.

Over the last two decades, the archaeological knowledge of the Alpine environments of southern Europe (Alpes and Pyrenees among other areas) has undergone a remarkable rise, both in the number of remains as well as in the sequences of population and landscape transformation. The mobility of the human groups that inhabited these environments is a recurring question that can be investigated applying different sets of methods. It is sometimes possible to survey, record and analyze the archeological traces of roads. Other ways to approach this research include the study of written sources about transhuman paths. Also, mobility can be assessed by computer modelling using GIS packages. In this communication, we will touch on all these methods and will focus in particular on the use of digital tools for modelling pathways in mountainous areas. In this sense, one aspect to take into account is the algorithms used to calculate the cost of the movement and its application in zones with a strong gradient. A second aspect includes the physical factors that limit or prevent displacement in this type of environment, such as impassable slopes, vegetation or watercourses, as well as social conditions such as property or rights of passage. Finally, we will discuss the use of Least Cost Analysis and other alternatives to understanding the ancient movements. In this paper, we explain how these methodological issues have been addressed in archeological research in two specific geographical areas: The National Park of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici in the Pyrenees, and the Southern Alps in France. Finally, we will discuss whether it is possible to observe changes in mobility in the long term, and the promise of these tools to understanding the settlement dynamics and the social construction of landscapes.