The development of human activity in the high altitudes of the Schnals Valley (South Tyrol/Italy) from the Mesolithic to modern periods

Abstract

This paper reports on the previous use of a mountainous landscape (Schnals Valley, South Tyrol/Italy) and how this relates to socio-economic processes from the Mesolithic to modern period. The results of archaeological surveys, the interpretation of excavated archaeological features and changes from natural to cultural landscape as evidenced by palynological and plant macrofossil analyses are presented and discussed. The resultant land-use-history documents a human presence over more than 10,000years and evidences the diversity of human activities during these prehistoric and historic periods. In the Mesolithic (c. 9000–6000calBC) the availability of faunal species above the tree line is seen as the main attractor for the investigation of high altitudes by humans. At the beginning of the Neolithic (c. 6000–3500calBC), there seems to have been little interest in the high alpine environment of the Schnals Valley despite the existence of agro-pastoral communities in the main valley of Vinschgau. Following a hiatus, new evidence for human presence is observed at the end of the Neolithic (about 4000calBC), probably caused by a climate deterioration that forced populations to frequent the high alpine landscape for hunting once again. During the Chalcolithic (c. 3500–2200BC), the Iceman and his equipment demonstrate utilisation of the area for hunting just as in the earlier periods. A major impact on the natural landscape is emerges during the Bronze Age (c. 2200–1000calBC) based on the onset of transhumance system in the study area. Pasture indicators show intensification during the Middle Bronze Age (c. 1700–1350calBC) validated also by archaeological features connected to pastoralism. High alpine farming remains important in later prehistoric periods. The Iron Age (c. 1000–15calBC) is represented by an initial decrease in find sites, caused by the Hallstatt climate depression before the emergence of a favourable climate for high alpine farming about 400calBC. During the Roman period, pollen diagrams show continuity in pastoral activities, however this is not reflected by archaeological features. During the Medieval and modern periods, human activity increases again as documented by a large number of animal enclosures and by a regional transit route for communication across the passes of the main Alpine ridge.