Arqueologia dels paisatges culturals al Pirineu oriental. Entre la plana de la Cerdanya i l'alta muntanya.

Identifier:  TDX:4513

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX4513

Authors:  Carbonell Puigventós, Arnau

Abstract:
This PhD thesis investigates the cultural landscapes of the eastern Pyrenees, focusing between the high mountain regions and the Cerdanya plain. The primary objective is to characterize the diachronic patterns of occupation and exploitation within these landscapes, with a particular emphasis on how pastoral activities shaped and configured the cultural landscapes. A central focus of this study is the Roman city of Iulia Libica, which serves as a lens to explore its influence on territorial organization and landscape transformation. The research employs an interdisciplinary approach, integrating archaeology, archaeomorphology, and paleoenvironmental studies. Advanced technological tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), drone-based photogrammetry, and modeling of radiocarbon dating to conduct detailed spatial analyses and reconstruct landscape dynamics across multiple temporal scales. The study documents 240 archaeological structures related to livestock occupations: dry-stone huts, and enclosures, as well as settlements constructed by dry-stone walls, exhibiting multiple occupation phases and excellent preservation. These findings underscore the long-term significance of these high-altitude regions as dynamic cultural landscapes. The results demonstrate a remarkable continuity of human occupation and land-use from the Neolithic to the medieval period, underscoring the integral role these landscapes played in regional subsistence strategies. This research not only enhances academic understanding of high mountain archaeology but also serves as a critical resource for cultural heritage preservation and the promotion of sustainable development practices in these regions.