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Archaeological Prospection of the Pyrenean Valleys in the Upper Lavedan, Hautes-Pyrénées

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Continuity and Change in Cultural Adaptation to Mountain Environments

Part of the book series: Studies in Human Ecology and Adaptation ((STHE,volume 7))

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Abstract

This chapter presents the results of a series of archaeological surveys conducted in the upper Lavedan region, south of Lourdes, Hautes-Pyrenees. I discuss the several types of architectural remains of pastoral lifestyle in high altitudes and examine their remains located in high-altitude pastures of three large valleys of Lavedan, Val d’Azun, Cauterets Valley, and Davantaygue, each subdivided into smaller geomorphologic units. I also discuss certain methodological problems related to the identification of such remains and provide a classification of those found in the valleys of Lavedan.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Blot (1985).

  2. 2.

    Rendu (2003).

  3. 3.

    See in particular Marsan (1991, 1993, 1996).

  4. 4.

    Here we need to recognize the members of the Archaeological Group of the Western Pyrenees, who have been stubbornly prospecting the Béarn Mountain for many years.

  5. 5.

    In particular Rupérez (1978, 1988, 1990) and Marsan and Utrilla (1996)…

  6. 6.

    Lévêque and Delaveau 1992. Editor’s note: see the chapter by Stéphane Lévêque in this volume.

  7. 7.

    Buisan 1991, 2002. G. Buisan remains one of the most dynamic researchers of pastoralism of the upper Adour like Dugène in the Ossau Valley.

  8. 8.

    This is especially the case for the work of Jean-Pierre Dugène in the Ossau Valley. Dugène (1994), (2002). This is also the case in Cauterets with a primary archaeological and patrimonial inventories conducted by S. Lévêque in 1989/1990.

  9. 9.

    Walsh and Mocci 2003. For the Pyrenees program see Guédon (2003a, b).

  10. 10.

    Guédon (2006).

  11. 11.

    Guédon (2003a, b, 2005).

  12. 12.

    In the absence of any excavations or even surveys, it is generally impossible to precisely point out the origins of these sites. Thus, a presently visible structure assumed to be of recent origin could very well be based on a previously existing one of ancient origin and we may not realize that by analyzing the structure without subsurface testing.

  13. 13.

    Berot (1998), p. 32.

  14. 14.

    Balencie (1910), pp. 105–115.

  15. 15.

    Tanguy 1977–1978, pp. 66–72.

  16. 16.

    Bourdette 1898–1899, T. 2, pp. 12–13.

  17. 17.

    Bourdette 1898–1899, T. 2, pp. 42–44.

  18. 18.

    Bourdette 1898–1899, T. 2, pp. 147–149, 540–541.

  19. 19.

    Bourdette 1898–1899, T. 3, pp. 73–91.

  20. 20.

    Balencie 1910, pp. 173–174.

  21. 21.

    Dugene 2002, pp. 17–18.

  22. 22.

    Lassure 1977, pp. 77–86.

  23. 23.

    Balencie 1910, pp. 145–151.

  24. 24.

    Balencie 1910, pp. 105–115. This manner of levying is found up to the Aure Valley at the Abbey of Sarrancolin in 1398. Collective 1982, p. 37.

  25. 25.

    Bourdette 1898–1899, T. 2, pp. 298.

  26. 26.

    Bourdette 1898–1899, T. 3, pp. 73–91.

  27. 27.

    Rendu (2003), pp. 325–334.

  28. 28.

    Lamazou (1995), pp. 116–120.

  29. 29.

    Editor’s note: see the chapter by Lozny for descriptions and photos of such structures recoded along the Labas creek.

  30. 30.

    See especially ADHP, monograph n°145.

  31. 31.

    Guédon (1995, 1996, 1999).

  32. 32.

    Guédon (2002). One should always keep in mind that in the mountains there are remains that are very much pared down but could be very recent, whereas other, better preserved may be more ancient.

  33. 33.

    Nacfer (1995), pp. 85–94.

  34. 34.

    Massie (1976), p. 90. He also cites E. Dufourcet, who, in 1876, proposed that some tumuli were in fact “tumulus-huts”, i.e. “earthen shack ruins” and not sepulchres.

  35. 35.

    Guédon (2002).

  36. 36.

    Guédon (1997a, 1997b).

  37. 37.

    Archaeological map record of the SRA.

  38. 38.

    Bourdette 1898–1899, T. 1, p. 471 et T. 3, pp. 397–408.

  39. 39.

    Blanc (2000), p. 19.

  40. 40.

    Guédon (2001a, 2001b), p. 40.

  41. 41.

    Among others, Blanc (2000), pp. 15–19.

  42. 42.

    Some qualify as toues insofar as this term etymologically designates a “hollow,” a “hole,” but not always necessarily one that is man-made. Later on I shall explain the difference between a shelter and a toue in the strictest sense of the word. Shelters are also described in Crecs or Cacous. Berot (1998), pp. 23–29.

  43. 43.

    Dugène (2002), photo 57.

  44. 44.

    Bourdette—personal communication, 4 n° 192. ADHP, F 127/4.

  45. 45.

    This is so true that hikers may pass next to some of these without noticing.

  46. 46.

    Roger (1993)

  47. 47.

    These were restored a few years ago.

  48. 48.

    Russel 1908, p. 40. Other Pyrenean specialists have visited toues, for instance Count Roger de Bouillé.

  49. 49.

    Buisan (2001), p. 36.

  50. 50.

    Charrier (2000), p. a5.

  51. 51.

    In Ossau, where archaeological prospecting is more advanced, more than 60 quèbes have been recorded thus far, see Dugène (2002), p. 67. It appears, however, that this inventory encompasses all types of outfitted shelters, which might explain the high number.

  52. 52.

    Charrier (2000), p. 40.

  53. 53.

    There are also some very nice examples in Béarn and in particular in Ossau.

  54. 54.

    Charrier (2000), p. a3.

  55. 55.

    Brochier et al. (1999), pp. 77–114.

  56. 56.

    As a reminder, I should note that the ruined hut shows a carved stone dated 1900. I shall also specify that this site, discovered in 1996, may have disappeared by now. In fact, an eyewitness told me about work being done on a pastoral trail in the area (enlargement). This could be the one that crosses the Ara 1 structure, but I did not have the time to verify it. If it is correct, no monitoring or preventive archaeological prospection is necessary here. In any case, this illustrates the fragility of isolated remains in the mountain that, as I believe, should be protected from damage and destruction. It is regrettable that this type of site, which for that matter is recorded in the archaeological map, is not the subject of the same attention as those located in the lowlands.

  57. 57.

    Guédon (1996) et 2003.

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  1. INRAP, Toulouse, France

    Frédéric Guédon

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  1. Frédéric Guédon
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Correspondence to Frédéric Guédon .

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  1. Hunter College, Park Ave. 695, NEW YORK, 10021, New York, USA

    Ludomir R. Lozny

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Guédon, F. (2013). Archaeological Prospection of the Pyrenean Valleys in the Upper Lavedan, Hautes-Pyrénées. In: Lozny, L. (eds) Continuity and Change in Cultural Adaptation to Mountain Environments. Studies in Human Ecology and Adaptation, vol 7. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5702-2_5

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