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Vol.2 , No. 4, Publication Date: Dec. 21, 2019, Page: 133-147
&description=Since 2000, we have taken interest in the medieval peopling of the low mountain ranges in the Auvergne region of France. We selected two zones of studies: the first in the south of the Cantal Department where we conducted the largest part of our research and the second in the south of the Sancy Massif, beginning in 2013. Our work consists of survey, cataloging, testing, and paleoenvironmental analyses. Two broad categories of structures were recorded. The first corresponds to large elongated structures with stone walls. Our research indicates that these occur either as isolated farms or grouped in small hamlets, occupied most probably year-round within a framework of agro-pastoral exploitation of the landscape. These structures were semi-subterranean and carefully protected against the cold. They date to the period between the end of the 10<sup>th</sup> and the 12<sup>th</sup> centuries. From the 13<sup>th</sup> century, the local economy saw a profound transformation, with generalized seasonal cattle breeding. Permanent occupation ceases and the big stone structures are replaced by small square structures which were used as shelters and shepherds’ sheds. These sheds were transformed and improved during modern era.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/932.jpg)
| [1] | Frederic Surmely, Regional Office of Cultural Affairs for Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Ministry of Culture, Clermont-Ferrand, France. |
| [2] | Violaine Nicolas, Institute of Research and Human Sciences, University of Caen, Caen, France. |
| [3] | Jay Franklin, EcoPlan Associates, Tucson, United States of America. |
| [4] | Manon Cabanis, National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research, Clermont-Ferrand, France. |
Since 2000, we have taken interest in the medieval peopling of the low mountain ranges in the Auvergne region of France. We selected two zones of studies: the first in the south of the Cantal Department where we conducted the largest part of our research and the second in the south of the Sancy Massif, beginning in 2013. Our work consists of survey, cataloging, testing, and paleoenvironmental analyses. Two broad categories of structures were recorded. The first corresponds to large elongated structures with stone walls. Our research indicates that these occur either as isolated farms or grouped in small hamlets, occupied most probably year-round within a framework of agro-pastoral exploitation of the landscape. These structures were semi-subterranean and carefully protected against the cold. They date to the period between the end of the 10th and the 12th centuries. From the 13th century, the local economy saw a profound transformation, with generalized seasonal cattle breeding. Permanent occupation ceases and the big stone structures are replaced by small square structures which were used as shelters and shepherds’ sheds. These sheds were transformed and improved during modern era.
Keywords
Medieval Settlement, Auvergne, Massif Central, Hamlet, Croft
Reference
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