The reoccupation of caves, a widespread phenomena that developed after the Prehistoric period in southern Europe, is quite interesting in terms of the distribution of settlements and how the territory was utilised. The reuse of natural enclosed spaces is documented in many parts of Liguria, the north-western Italo-French Alpine sector, the region of southern Jura and in Provence. Utilisation of such caves as defensive structures or as occasional shelter can only partially explain such reoccupation, especially considering the magnitude of the archaeological deposits corresponding to these phases. Alternatively, the reuse of some of these caves can be considered within an economic framework that between Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages expanded once again onto hillsides and into the mountains, and linked to a widespread resurgence of the exploitation of woods and forests and the breeding of goats, sheep and semi-wild pigs.

The occupation and use of natural caves in the Ligurian-Piedmontese region between Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages (fifth to late seventh century AD)

de Vingo P.
2018-01-01

Abstract

The reoccupation of caves, a widespread phenomena that developed after the Prehistoric period in southern Europe, is quite interesting in terms of the distribution of settlements and how the territory was utilised. The reuse of natural enclosed spaces is documented in many parts of Liguria, the north-western Italo-French Alpine sector, the region of southern Jura and in Provence. Utilisation of such caves as defensive structures or as occasional shelter can only partially explain such reoccupation, especially considering the magnitude of the archaeological deposits corresponding to these phases. Alternatively, the reuse of some of these caves can be considered within an economic framework that between Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages expanded once again onto hillsides and into the mountains, and linked to a widespread resurgence of the exploitation of woods and forests and the breeding of goats, sheep and semi-wild pigs.
2018
Cave and Rituals in Medieval Europe, AD 500-1500
Oxbow Books
165
184
9781785708336
Cave, late roman amphoras, red slipped ware, soap-stone, Early Middle Ages
de Vingo P.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1663544
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