3D landscape evolution reconstruction of the Magdalenian Roc-aux-Sorciers site (Vienne, France)

Abstract

The Roc- aux- Sorciers site, located in the New-Aquitaine region of France, is a rock shelter which is located in the last meander of the River Anglin. Sculpted rock art is carved in Oxfordian limestone. It has been revealed through successive archaeological excavations since 1948 and attributed to the Magdalenian period through dating of the underlying archaeological levels. Before their discovery, these sculptures were buried under a few metres of clastic sediments, covering and protecting them from view and alteration. Thus, they were not visible in the landscape. The morphological setting during the occupation of the Magdalenian sculptors was thus different from today. This study focuses on the morphological context of the Roc-aux-Sorciers (rock shelters at the foot of the walls, collapse), to uncover its landscape evolution phases, particularly regarding the sedimentary filling of the site and the collapse of the rock walls. The reconstruction resulting from this study combines a geomorphological approach with archaeological results (sedimentology and radiocarbon chronology). It provides a methodological workflow based on 3D survey data acquired on natural environment and archaeological context. 3D mapping combined with geoarchaeological analysis of the site’s surroundings allows reconstruction of the morphological evolution of the site before, during and after the Magdalenian phases of human activity, and provides new elements for understanding of the modalities of evolution of the site.