Vegetational changes and human presence in the low-alpine and subalpine zone in Val Febbraro, upper Valle di Spluga (Italian central Alps), from the Neolithic to the Roman period

• Published in: Vegetation history and archaeobotany Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 431 - 451
• Main Authors: Moe, Dagfinn, Fedele, Francesco G., Maude, Agnete Engan, Kvamme, Mons
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.09.2007; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Altitude; Archaeological sites; Charcoal; Climate change; Herbs; Historic sites; Human impact; Human influences; Human-environment relationship; Meadows; Metal industry; Methodology and general studies; Neolithic; Paleoclimatology; Pollen; Prehistory and protohistory; Stone Age; Treeline; Typology, technology and attribute analysis; Vegetation; Woodlands; Bronze; Iron Age; American culture; Early; Neolithic; Bronze Age; Woodland; Alps; Italy; France; Europe; Study; Italian Alps; Transhumance; Pasturing; Method; Finds; Radiocarbon; Tree-line; Vegetation; Tree; Pollen; Metal industry; Dating; Archaeological site; Charcoal; Summer-farming
• ISSN: 0939-6314; 1617-6278
• DOI: 10.1007/s00334-006-0088-0

An interdisciplinary palaeoecological study in the low-alpine and subalpine zones of Val Febbraro, upper Valle di Spluga (Italy), between 1830 and 2304 m a.s.l., suggests the temporary presence of early Neolithic groups at about 6000 uncal B.P. Evidence for local woodland clearance and charcoal dust were found. Phases of woodland and treeline disturbances, and indications of increased human presence are evident at about 5500, 5100, and 4000 B.P. A marked increase in disturbance, mainly related to pasturing, is dated to the beginning of the Bronze Age. The last major stage of human impact on the vegetation coincides with the Final Bronze phase and the beginning of the Iron Age, with a small temporary reduction during the Roman period. 14C dated archaeological sites and finds are broadly concordant with the phases of human impact on the vegetation. A summary figure is presented. No locally significant climatic changes have been traced during the last 6000 years, and if present, they are probably overshadowed by the vegetational changes caused by human activity.