Alpine Archaeology (Southern French Alps)

The Roche des Poignards Site

2006-06-24T12:57:00.000Z

The excavation up against the rock face upon which a series of engravings were made (starting in the Neolithic) aimed to assess the nature of any human activity on this site. Walls of a sheep enclosure constitute the evidence for the most recent phase of activity. Quantities of medieval pottery and associated bone characterise another important phase of activity. Charcoal from lower layers, and evidence from an adjacent round structure (see image lower down in blog) may well provide evidence of prehistoric actvity on this site.

Location Map: Roche des Poignards is located towards the top right of this image

2006-06-24T09:48:00.000Z

The work at this site is part of a much larger landscape archaeology project concerned with the study of human activity in the high altitude zones of the Southern French Alps in the Ubaye Valley and the Parc National des Ecrins.

2006-06-23T16:01:00.000Z

A modern alpine archaeologist's kit must include; 2 solar panels, 2 palm computers, gortex underware and a Swiss Army knife (not a French Army knife, as this may suddenly start cutting in the other direction...)

2006-06-21T09:28:00.000Z

The start of the four hour hike upto the excavation area.

2006-06-21T08:46:00.001Z

Nick with solar panel to keep his aging batteries running and Suzi with her auger.

2006-06-21T08:46:00.000Z

A steep section of the hike upto site...

2006-06-21T08:45:00.000Z

Arriving at the shepherd's cabin and camp at 2500m.

2006-06-21T07:50:00.000Z

Excavation at the Roche des Poignards Rock Art site situated at 2450m

2006-06-21T05:50:00.000Z

Looking up towards the site

2006-06-21T05:48:00.000Z

Sondage on the possible Bronze Age structure next to the Rock Art site

2006-06-21T05:47:00.000Z

A quarry at 2100 m

2006-06-21T05:41:00.000Z

Kylie guarding the site

Nerd Ahoy!

2006-06-21T05:39:00.000Z

"Extreme" GPS survey - Nick with his antenna trying to pick up the World Cup...

2006-06-21T05:38:00.000Z

A new (probable) Bronze Age structure at 2400m

2006-06-21T05:37:00.000Z

The main site during excavation

2006-06-21T05:33:00.000Z

A natural corridor from the pastures down to the site

2006-06-21T05:32:00.000Z

The area between camp and the excavation site

2006-06-21T05:31:00.000Z

Wreckage of a light aircraft next to camp (this has been there for about 16 years)

2006-06-21T05:26:00.000Z

Returning to camp after a freezing day's excavation

Coring in the snow!?

2006-06-20T19:37:00.000Z

2006-06-20T07:02:00.000Z

Early morning cloud rolling in from the Italian border

2006-06-18T18:31:00.000Z

View from the site down the valley

2006-06-18T18:29:00.000Z

Detail of the late third and early second millennia BC art

2006-06-18T18:23:00.000Z

The walk from camp to excavation

2006-06-18T17:53:00.000Z

Breakfast at 2500m

2006-06-18T17:48:00.000Z

Nick giving talk to French school children. After the talk, he discussed cognitive mapping with the children.

2006-06-18T17:47:00.000Z

"Extreme" Camping

2006-06-18T17:39:00.000Z

Vincent's new photogrammetry system

2006-06-17T07:43:00.000Z

The "team" at the end of the excavation.

2006-06-16T18:29:00.000Z

A group of donkeys bringing our material down from the site...