The Roche des Poignards Site

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

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.

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...)

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

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

A steep section of the hike upto site...

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

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

Looking up towards the site 

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

A quarry at 2100 m 

Kylie guarding the site 

Nerd Ahoy!

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

A new (probable) Bronze Age structure at 2400m 

The main site during excavation 

A natural corridor from the pastures down to the site 

The area between camp and the excavation site 

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

Returning to camp after a freezing day's excavation 

Coring in the snow!?

 

Early morning cloud rolling in from the Italian border 

View from the site down the valley 

Detail of the late third and early second millennia BC art 

The walk from camp to excavation 

Breakfast at 2500m