The Last Hunter-Gatherers of the Swiss Plateau. Zooarchaeological Approach of the Mesolithic Rock Shelter Arconciel/La Souche (Fribourg, Switzerland)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

The last hunter-gatherers of the Swiss plateau. Zooarchaeological approach of the Mesolithic rock shelter Arconciel/La Souche (Fribourg, Switzerland) AurélieGuidez∗1 and Jean-Christophe Castel 1Archéologieet histoire ancienne : Méditerranée- Europe (ARCHIMEDE) { universitéde Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique : UMR7044 { MISHA - 5 alléedu Gal Rouvillois - CS 50008 - 67083 Strasbourg cedex, France Abstract The rock shelter of La Souche (Arconciel, Fribourg Canton, Switzerland), excavated between 2003 and 2012, yielded an exceptional quantity of bone material. Five very well preserved archaeological levels offer the possibility of reconstructing many aspects of the occupation of the site and the exploitation of fauna and the evolution of behaviour between 7200 and 4800 BC. The unpublished results of the archaeozoological study shed new light on the populations of the Swiss Plateau during the Second Mesolithic period. At the end of this period, a large part of Central Europe adopted the Neolithic way of life, with the exception of a vast pocket of resistance between the Jura, the Italian Pre-Alps and Lake Constance. Situated in the heart of this area, the Arconciel/La Souche site is a formidable witness to the way of life of the last hunter-gatherers. The study of more than 400,000 faunal remains, highly fragmented but very well preserved, has enabled us, among other things, to analyse in all its dimensions the acquisition and use of animal resources. From the choice of the species hunted to the destiny of the bone remains after consumption and all of the stages of the transformation of animal carcasses, we can follow the evolution of the way of life of the inhabitants of this rock shelter during the First and Second Mesolithic. The red deer is by far the main resource exploited. Wild boar and roe deer significantly complement the meat supply. A wide variety of small fur-bearing mammals also play an important role. Each occupation phase is systematically concluded by an intense combustion phase. Keywords: Zooarchaeology, Switzerland, Second Mesolithic, Neolithization ∗Speaker sciencesconf.org:meso2020:325593.

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Transalpine Pass Routes in the Swiss Central Alps and the Strategic Use of Topographic Resources
Preistoria Alpina, 42 (2007): 109-118 ISSN 09-0157 © Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali, Trento 2007 Transalpine pass routes in the Swiss Central Alps and the strategic use of topographic resources Philippe DELLA CASA Department of Pre-/Protohistory, University of Zurich, Karl-Schmid-Str. ��4, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland E-mail: [email protected] SUMMARY - Transalpine pass routes in the Swiss Central Alps and the strategic use of topographic resources - Using examples from the San Bernardino and the St. Gotthard passes in the Swiss Central Alps, this paper discusses how the existence of transalpine high altitude pass routes can be inferred, even though there is a lack physical evidence, from specific Bronze and Iron Age settlement patterns in access valleys. Particular attention is given to the effect of topography within the territorial and economic organizational area on transalpine tracks and traffic routes. A set of recurring patterns, such as strategic position, natural and/or artificial protection, presence of “foreign” materials, can help identifying (settlement) sites with particular functions as regards traffic and trade within the systems of territorial organization. Moreover, the paper also addresses socio-dynamic issues of the problem of transalpine pass routes. RIASSUNTO - Passi transalpini nelle Alpi Centrali Svizzere e uso strategico di risorse topografiche -Usando esempi dal Passo di San Bernardino e dal Passo del San Gottardo nelle Alpi Centrali Svizzere, il presente contributo discute come l’esistenza di vie di transito transalpine d’alta quota possa essere dedotta, anche mancando evidenze fisiche, da specifici modelli insediativi dell’età del Bronzo e del Ferro presenti nelle valli di accesso.
[Show full text]
Annuaire Suisse De Politique De Développement, 25-2
Annuaire suisse de politique de développement 25-2 | 2006 Paix et sécurité : les défis lancés à la coopération internationale Édition électronique URL : http://journals.openedition.org/aspd/233 DOI : 10.4000/aspd.233 ISSN : 1663-9669 Éditeur Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement Édition imprimée Date de publication : 1 octobre 2006 ISBN : 2-88247-064-9 ISSN : 1660-5934 Référence électronique Annuaire suisse de politique de développement, 25-2 | 2006, « Paix et sécurité : les déﬁs lancés à la coopération internationale » [En ligne], mis en ligne le 19 mars 2010, consulté le 16 octobre 2020. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/aspd/233 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/aspd.233 Ce document a été généré automatiquement le 16 octobre 2020. © The Graduate Institute | Geneva 1 Guerre et paix, comment passer de l’une à l’autre ? Comment prévenir la première et établir, d’une manière durable, la seconde ? Ces questions ont hanté l’humanité entière, à la recherche de sa sécurité, depuis la nuit des temps. Ce dossier de l’Annuaire suisse de politique de développement reprend ces questions en examinant plus spécifiquement le rôle de la coopération internationale dans les dynamiques de conflit, de paix et de sécurité humaine. Le choix de ce thème s’est imposé pour diverses raisons. Depuis plus d’une décennie, les notions de paix et de sécurité « se sont invitées à la table » de la coopération internationale. La diplomatie « classique » s’occupe de plus en plus, depuis la fin de la guerre froide, de prévention et de règlement de conflits armés et de guerres.
[Show full text]
High Temporal Resolution Radar Observations of Various Scatterers in the Atmosphere at 10 Ghz: Experiences in Mediterranean Semi-Arid Regions and in the Western Alps
HIGH TEMPORAL RESOLUTION RADAR OBSERVATIONS OF VARIOUS SCATTERERS IN THE ATMOSPHERE AT 10 GHZ: EXPERIENCES IN MEDITERRANEAN SEMI-ARID REGIONS AND IN THE WESTERN ALPS M. Gabella1, E. Morin2, A. Leuenberger1, R. Notarpietro3,4, M. Branca4, J. Figueras1, M. Schneebeli1, U. Germann1 1Radar Satellite and Nowcasting, MeteoSwiss, via ai Monti 146, CH-6605 Locarno Monti, Switzerland. 2Department of Geography, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel. 3Electronics Department, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy. Corresponding author: Marco Gabella, Phone +41-91-7562319, [email protected] Session: Developments in observing technologies. Abstract Radar is a unique tool to get real time overview on the current weather situation; however, high spatial resolution observations can only be achieved at short ranges, the angular resolution being an important limiting factor. How to tackle the emerging needs for high spatio-temporal resolution? Short-range, fast- scanning, X-band, mini radars can be a solution, especially for monitoring in details small basins prone to flash flood, towns and valleys. Cost, radiation and installation issues motivate the use of small antennas that can easily be installed on existing infrastructures or even on a truck. The paper presents lessons gained in various climates and with different X-band systems: low-cost, portable, single elevation, 10 kW systems delivering one precipitation map per minute as well as a sophisticated, fast 3D scanning, 75 kW Doppler, polarimetric radar on wheel aiming at the detection of both distributed (precipitation particles) and isolated scatterers (airplanes). The areas under surveillance include complex orography regions in the “wet” Western Alps and in the Be'er Sheva semi-arid region (Israel).
[Show full text]
Swiss Money Secrets
Swiss Money Secrets Robert E. Bauman JD Jamie Vrijhof-Droese Banyan Hill Publishing P.O. Box 8378 Delray Beach, FL 33482 Tel.: 866-584-4096 Email: http://banyanhill.com/contact-us Website: http://banyanhill.com ISBN: 978-0-578-40809-5 Copyright (c) 2018 Sovereign Offshore Services LLC. All international and domestic rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording or by any information storage or retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher, Banyan Hill Publishing. Protected by U.S. copyright laws, 17 U.S.C. 101 et seq., 18 U.S.C. 2319; Violations punishable by up to five year’s imprisonment and/ or $250,000 in fines. Notice: this publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold and distributed with the understanding that the authors, publisher and seller are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice or services. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional adviser should be sought. The information and recommendations contained in this brochure have been compiled from sources considered reliable. Employees, officers and directors of Banyan Hill do not receive fees or commissions for any recommendations of services or products in this publication. Investment and other recommendations carry inherent risks. As no investment recommendation can be guaranteed, Banyan Hill takes no responsibility for any loss or inconvenience if one chooses to accept them.
[Show full text]
Swiss Tourism in Figures 2018 Structure and Industry Data
SWISS TOURISM IN FIGURES 2018 STRUCTURE AND INDUSTRY DATA PARTNERSHIP. POLITICS. QUALITY. Edited by Swiss Tourism Federation (STF) In cooperation with GastroSuisse | Public Transport Association | Swiss Cableways | Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO) | Swiss Hiking Trail Federation | Switzerland Tourism (ST) | SwitzerlandMobility Imprint Production: Martina Bieler, STF | Photo: Silvaplana/GR (© @anneeeck, Les Others) | Print: Länggass Druck AG, 3000 Bern The brochure contains the latest figures available at the time of printing. It is also obtainable on www.stv-fst.ch/stiz. Bern, July 2019 3 CONTENTS AT A GLANCE 4 LEGAL BASES 5 TOURIST REGIONS 7 Tourism – AN IMPORTANT SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY 8 TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR OF THE SWISS RESIDENT POPULATION 14 ACCOMMODATION SECTOR 16 HOTEL AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRY 29 TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE 34 FORMAL EDUCATION 47 INTERNATIONAL 49 QUALITY PROMOTION 51 TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS 55 4 AT A GLANCE CHF 44.7 billion 1 total revenue generated by Swiss tourism 28 555 km public transportation network 25 497 train stations and stops 57 554 795 air passengers 471 872 flights CHF 18.7 billion 1 gross value added 28 985 hotel and restaurant establishments 7845 trainees CHF 16.6 billion 2 revenue from foreign tourists in Switzerland CHF 17.9 billion 2 outlays by Swiss tourists abroad 175 489 full-time equivalents 1 38 806 777 hotel overnight stays average stay = 2.0 nights 4765 hotels and health establishments 274 792 hotel beds One of the largest export industries in Switzerland 4.4 % of export revenue
[Show full text]
Current Development of the Remote Sensing Meteorological Network and the Fine Grid Weather Forecast Model for the Nuclear Power Plants Security in Switzerland
Current development of the remote sensing meteorological network and the fine grid weather forecast model for the nuclear power plants security in Switzerland Bertrand Calpini, Yves Alain Roulet, Dominique Ruffieux and Philippe Steiner Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss E-mail : [email protected]; Phone: +41 26 662 62 11 Abstract Each of the four nuclear power plants in operation in Switzerland is currently equipped with one meteorological tower (up to 110 m height) and standard ground based instruments which yield the basic data input to a gaussian-dispersion model. The latter is being used as short term weather forecast tool in case of a power plant accident. MeteoSwiss is currently in charge of upgrading this security tool. It is intended to use the advantage / peculiarity that the four nuclear power plants are all located on the Swiss Plateau at short distance each from another, and with wind fields channelled towards the NE to SW direction due to the presence of the Jura mountains on the NW and the Swiss Alps on the SE. The new security tool is based on the development of a high resolution numerical weather prediction NWP model linked to a meteorological network instrumented with ground based and remote sensing equipment. The NWP will be used to forecast the dynamics of the atmosphere in the planetary boundary layer (e.g. up to 2 km above ground level) over the Swiss plateau, using remote sensing instruments such as wind profilers, passive microwave instrument for temperature profiling, and a sodar for low altitude wind field. The measuring sites of the network will be located in order to generate the ideal database, the latter being assimilated in real time as data input for the fine grid NWP model.
[Show full text]
Health Systems in Transition: Switzerland Vol 17 No 4 2015
Health Systems in Transition Vol. 17 No. 4 2015 Switzerland Health system review Carlo De Pietro • Paul Camenzind Isabelle Sturny • Luca Crivelli Suzanne Edwards-Garavoglia Anne Spranger • Friedrich Wittenbecher Wilm Quentin Wilm Quentin, Friedrich Wittenbecher, Anne Spranger, Suzanne Edwards-Garavoglia (editors) and Reinhard Busse (Series editor) were responsible for this HiT Editorial Board Series editors Reinhard Busse, Berlin University of Technology, Germany Josep Figueras, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Martin McKee, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom Elias Mossialos, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom Ellen Nolte, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Ewout van Ginneken, Berlin University of Technology, Germany Series coordinator Gabriele Pastorino, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Editorial team Jonathan Cylus, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Cristina Hernández-Quevedo, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Marina Karanikolos, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Anna Maresso, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies David McDaid, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Sherry Merkur, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Dimitra Panteli, Berlin University of Technology, Germany Wilm Quentin, Berlin University of Technology, Germany Bernd Rechel, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Erica Richardson, European Observatory
[Show full text]
Climate Impacts on Vegetation and Fire Dynamics Since the Last Deglaciation at Moossee
Climate impacts on vegetation and fire dynamics since the last deglaciation at Moossee (Switzerland) Fabian Rey1,2,3, Erika Gobet1,2, Christoph Schwörer1,2, Albert Hafner2,4, Sönke Szidat2,5, Willy Tinner1,2 5 1Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, CH-3013 Bern, Switzerland 2Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, CH-3013 Bern, Switzerland 3Geoecology, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland 4Institute of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland 5Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland 10 Correspondence to: Fabian Rey ([email protected]) Abstract. Since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, end ca. 19,000 cal BP) Central European plant communities were shaped by changing climatic and anthropogenic disturbances. Understanding long-term ecosystem reorganizations in response to past environmental changes is crucial to draw conclusions about the impact of future climate change. So far, it has been difficult to address the post-deglaciation timing and ecosystem dynamics due 15 to a lack of well-dated and continuous sediment sequences covering the entire period after the LGM. Here, we present a new palaeoecological study with exceptional chronological time control using pollen, spores and microscopic charcoal from Moossee (Swiss Plateau, 521 m a.s.l.) to reconstruct the vegetation and fire history over the last ca. 19,000 years. After lake formation in response to deglaciation, five major pollen-inferred ecosystem rearrangements occurred at ca. 18,800 cal BP (establishment of steppe tundra), 16,000 cal BP (spread 20 of shrub tundra), 14,600 cal BP (expansion of boreal forests), 11,600 cal BP (establishment of first temperate deciduous tree stands composed of e.g.
[Show full text]
Swiss Road History Between State Consolidation and Private Interests
Swiss Road History between State Consolidation and Private Interests The development of the road infrastructure in Switzerland between 1740 and 18501 Benjamin Spielmann University of Bern Section of Economic, Social and Environmental History [email protected] Abstract This paper discusses major development steps in the emergence of the modern road network in Switzerland. It considers connections between state authorities and actors from the private sector. Before the Swiss Fed- eral State was founded in 1848, the country consisted of regional and largely independent territories with only few institutional bonds between them. Neither a strong central political instance nor a comprehensive master plan existed, yet these regional governments together with foreign states, managed to gradually cre- ate a road network. The road network connected major Swiss towns and allowed access to foreign transpor- tation systems. This paper argues that this was possible based on mutual economic interests of regional and foreign states as well as the private sector: The states were interested in tolls and military use, and the private sector needed roads for efficient freight transportation that generated fiscal revenue. This coaction between public and private actors was at the expense of local societal structures that needed to cope with large scale economic interests. However, road projects contributed to consolidate regional state structures that were essential to passing road laws, incorporating technical knowledge and expanding road networks on a more regional level. 1. Introduction Roads are a crucial part of the present-day transportation and mobility system of which transportation of Bern Open Repository and Information System (BORIS) 2 provided by th th View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk CORE passengers accounts for a huge part.
[Show full text]
The Role of Swiss Civic Corporations in Land-Use Planning
Environment and Planning A 2011, volume 43, pages 185 ^ 204 doi:10.1068/a43293 The role of Swiss civic corporations in land-use planning Jean-David Gerber Institute of Land Use Policies and Human Environment (IPTEH), University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; e-mail: [email protected] Ste¨ phane Nahrath, Patrick Csikos University Institute Kurt Bo« sch (IUKB), CP 4176, 1950 Sion 4, Switzerland; e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Peter Knoepfel Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP), University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; e-mail: [email protected] Received 11 July 2010; in revised form 23 September 2010 Abstract. Public authorities in charge of managing public real-estate assets at the local level face conflicting interests. In Switzerland, short-term solutions often prevail. This paper looks at another group of actors which are characterized by their long-term real-estate management strategies: civic corporations. In Switzerland old civic corporations, which share many characteristics with common pool resource (CPR) institutions, are large landowners, some of them very powerful, which seem to have been successful in the management of their assets over centuries. The objective of this paper is to address the role played today by large urban civic corporations in the implementation process of land-use planning policies, as well as to understand the conditions of their perpetuation within the complex policy framework characterizing Swiss and European welfare states. This research examines the real-estate strategy of the civic corporations of Bern and Churöie their choice to buy, sell, or lease parcels of land depending on their locationöin order to highlight their complex relationship with local authorities in charge of land-use planning.
[Show full text]
Copy Notes for Germany and Switzerland Only REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY of RHINELANDS
NOTE: Copy notes for Germany and Switzerland only REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF RHINELANDS Introduction Rhinelands refers to the region in Western Europe that is drained by the great Rhine river comprising of five basic countries. • Netherlands • Germany • Luxemburg • Switzerland • Belgium Rhinelands has a land coverage of 350,000 sq.km and a population of about 120 million people. It is currently getting populated by migrants from all over the world seeking for jobs, citizenship, medication and education opportunities. Latitudinally it extends from 42º- 54º N and 03º- 13º E. It is bordered by the North Sea in the North, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria in the East, Italy in the South and France in the West. (Sketch map of Rhine lands region) Drainage Rhine lands is drained by a diverse drainage system with the Rhine river as dominant plus its tributaries and other rivers which stream from different parts of the region and empty their water into large water bodies like North sea, Baltic sea, Black sea and Mediterranean sea. These include the following; Rhine, Rhone, Danube, Elbe, Inn, Ticino/Po, Weser, Scheldt etc. • Rhine river- streams from the Swiss Alps through Switzerland, Germany and Netherlands into the North Sea. • Rhone river- streams from the Swiss Alps through France to the Mediterranean Sea. • Weser river- streams from Germany flowing into the North Sea. • Elbe river- streams from Czechoslovakia through Poland and Germany into the North Sea. • Danube river- streams from South Germany through Austria into the Black sea. • Inn river- streams from the Swiss Alps through Austria and links with Danube in South Germany flowing into the Black sea.
[Show full text]
From the Zinal Glacier to the Swiss Jura Mountains: Exploring the High Alps on Snowshoes Exploring the High Alps on Snowshoes
From the Zinal Glacier to the Swiss Jura Mountains: Exploring the High Alps on Snowshoes By Ian Spare itting here in Switzerland in the summer, the winter seems a long time ago. It's more than 30 degrees Celsius (that's 86 degrees Fahrenheit if you're in North America) and it's only 9 a.m. S So, a great way to cool down is to look back at some trips around Switzerland and let the snowy landscapes cool the room. I once made a comment on a Nordic skiing online forum about following a raquette track on skis for a short while. I got a confused reply telling me that raquette was French-Canadian for snowshoes, which the writer didn't think were used much outside North America. It turns out that raquettes is just a French word and one used here in the French speaking part of Switzerland. About 20 percent of the country would call snowshoes “la raquette à neige” (French). About 65 percent would say “Schneeschuhe” (German), while some 7 percent call them “racchette da neve” (Italian). I have no idea what the Romansh-speaking Swiss would say, and Google can't help me. When going snowshoeing in Switzerland, the country can be divided into regions. We have the Swiss Plateau, which is around 30 percent of the country and between 400 and 700 meters (1,300- 2,300 feet) high. Snow is scarce in this area. Although, it's possible to make the occasional trip, it’s better to look at higher ranges. The best known area is the Alps, of course: With a high point of 4810m (15,782 ft.) on Mont Blanc (France) and 82 peaks more than 4,000m (13,123 ft.) high.
[Show full text]