The effects of human impact on the arboreal vegetation near ancient iron smelting sites in Val Gabbia, northern Italy

Abstract

Changes in arboreal vegetation near ancient iron smelting sites in Val Gabbia, a lateral valley of Val Camonica, Brescia, northern Italy, were studied using charcoal analysis at three archaeological sites. The charcoal samples analysed derive from charcoal stores and furnaces used for iron ore smelting during different periods spanning the interval A.D. 500 to 1700. As a reliable description of the woodland cover in the valley during this period does not exist, charcoal analysis is a useful approach for studying the effect of human impact on a forest exploited for the iron industry. Our results indicate that the conifer forest, consisting ofAbies alha, Picea abies and/orLarix decidua, which was present in the early stages was replaced after 600 years by a mixed forest and, 300 years later, by a degraded forest dominated byOstrya carpinifolia, a typical pioneer species. The youngest period is characterised by the reconstitution of a mixed forest with coniferous and deciduous trees.