Projects / Programmes
5000 YEARS OF GRAZING AND MINING ACTIVITIES IN THE JULIAN ALPS (SLOVENIA): climate-human interactions as reflected in lake sediments, man-modified landscape and archaeological findings
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.02.00 |
Humanities |
Archaeology |
|
| 1.06.03 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
Sedimentology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B300 |
Biomedical sciences |
Palaeobotany, phylogeny, palynology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.01 |
Humanities |
History and Archaeology |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
palaeoecology, archaeology, geology, Holocene, Julian Alps, pastoralism, mining
Researchers (10)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
This multidisciplinary research project will integrate palaeoecological, archaeological, and geological research in order to better understand changes in the natural environment, and human adaptation to these changes. It will focus on high-altitude archaeological sites and lakes in the Julian Alps (Triglav National Park, Slovenia). Previous research of sedimentary cores from Lake Bohinj (Rapuc et al. 2018) focused on changes of lowland environments in the last 6600 years, whereas detailed development of vegetation and human impact on the mountain environment of the Julian Alps throughout the entire Holocene remains mostly unexplored. Archaeological research indicates that the area was occupied from (at least) the Bronze Age, but due to the scarcity of new excavations and in-depth scientific methods (e.g., archaeobotany, archaeozoology, chemical and metallographic analyses of slag), the (pre)historical economy has been poorly investigated. For example, it is not known when the first high-altitude grazing and mining took place and what the impact of these activities was on the environment.
The project will focus on studies of the past environment, archaeological settlement patterns, and the economy. For the first time in Slovenia, detailed palaeoecological research (radiocarbon dating, pollen, microcharcoal, diatom and sediment DNA analysis, geochemical and sedimentological analyses) of cores collected in mountain lakes of ‘Jezero na Planini pri Jezeru’ and ‘Ledvica’ will be performed. The results will be used to reconstruct the Holocene changes in vegetation and sedimentary processes, triggered by climatic fluctuations and human impact. Detailed archaeological and geological research (field surveys, test-pits, studies of architecture and artefacts, dating, archaeobotanical and archaeozoological research, chemical analysis of food remains) in the alpine grazing areas (Pod Kopico, Vodene rupe 1 and 2, Krstenica) will reveal changes of archaeological settlement patterns through time. We will investigate human adaptation to extreme environment and the impact of the environment on the selection of settlement points and activities in high-altitude areas, with a special emphasis on the beginning of grazing and mining (identification of surface mining pits for iron ore, dating and mapping of former mining areas).
We will address the question of what environmental changes were triggered by climate fluctuations and which due to human influence (e.g., cutting/burning forest, pasture, metallurgy). What was the impact of climate change on human presence and activities? When did the first mountain pastures appear and how did this change the environment? How did mining and metallurgical activities affect the vegetation, soil erosion processes, and the ecology of lakes? How did centuries of intensive mining transform the landscape? How is the balance between sustainable management and excessive exploitation reflected over time?
In the final phase of the project, the results will be analysed. The archaeological settlement pattern and the vegetation in mountain areas will be compared with the situation in the valleys (Lake Bohinj, the Soča valley), and palaeoclimatological data in the wider region (Slovenia, Europe). Previous research in other parts of the Alps indicates rapid climatic fluctuations, changes of the settlement and the economy, especially in the Bronze, Iron and Roman Ages. The comparison of well-dated multi-proxy data will, therefore, help us to better understand the reasons for changes of archaeological settlement patterns, the economy and society. This knowledge will help us to protect and preserve the abundant natural and cultural heritage of Triglav Natural Park.
Significance for science
The research will focus on the Holocene sedimentary processes in the mountain lakes, vegetation changes, human impact (grazing, mining) and adaptation to extreme natural conditions of the Julian Alps. The primary value of the project lies in its multidisciplinarity and close cooperation between researchers working in the natural sciences and humanities (archaeology, archaeobotany, archaeozoology, palynology, diatom analysis, geology, geochemistry, sedimentology), which will improve the interpretative strength of our research and help us to better understand the reasons for changes of natural environment and archaeological settlement patterns.
Very detailed, multidisciplinary, and high-resolution research is not commonplace in the Alps; in the Julian Alps, it will be carried out for the first time and will help us to investigate the impact of grazing and mining activities on the environment of the Eastern Alps. The proposed research project is also crucial for the development of new research methods: maps of former mining areas will be prepared, these areas will be dated, and criteria to separate between natural (sinkhole) and anthropogenic (surface mining) surface transformations will be established, which is an essential innovative aspect of the project. Another innovative aspect of the project will include sedimentary DNA analysis of Lake Jezero na Planini pri jezeru core. Studies of DNA remains of (domestic) animals and (cultivated) plants preserved in lake sediments are rare also on the European scale (Giguet-Covex et al. 2014).
International cooperation and development of new approaches will contribute to more successful integration of Slovenian researchers into European projects dedicated to studies of long-term environmental changes (e.g. climate change impacts and adaptation, research and protection of natural and cultural heritage in the Alps), and to increase the visibility of research group and the advancement of (Slovenian) science.
The researchers who will take part in the project come from various research and educational institutions in Slovenia and abroad (ZRC SAZU, University of Ljubljana, EDYTEM), and we have diverse, but complementary knowledge that is needed for the implementation of the project. In the past, a vast majority of the research team had successfully participated in joint research in the Julian Alps. The project brings together people of different ages, from young to experienced researchers, who will transfer their knowledge to younger generations.
Significance for the country
The research will focus on the Holocene sedimentary processes in the mountain lakes, vegetation changes, human impact (grazing, mining) and adaptation to extreme natural conditions of the Julian Alps. The primary value of the project lies in its multidisciplinarity and close cooperation between researchers working in the natural sciences and humanities (archaeology, archaeobotany, archaeozoology, palynology, diatom analysis, geology, geochemistry, sedimentology), which will improve the interpretative strength of our research and help us to better understand the reasons for changes of natural environment and archaeological settlement patterns.
Very detailed, multidisciplinary, and high-resolution research is not commonplace in the Alps; in the Julian Alps, it will be carried out for the first time and will help us to investigate the impact of grazing and mining activities on the environment of the Eastern Alps. The proposed research project is also crucial for the development of new research methods: maps of former mining areas will be prepared, these areas will be dated, and criteria to separate between natural (sinkhole) and anthropogenic (surface mining) surface transformations will be established, which is an essential innovative aspect of the project. Another innovative aspect of the project will include sedimentary DNA analysis of Lake Jezero na Planini pri jezeru core. Studies of DNA remains of (domestic) animals and (cultivated) plants preserved in lake sediments are rare also on the European scale (Giguet-Covex et al. 2014).
International cooperation and development of new approaches will contribute to more successful integration of Slovenian researchers into European projects dedicated to studies of long-term environmental changes (e.g. climate change impacts and adaptation, research and protection of natural and cultural heritage in the Alps), and to increase the visibility of research group and the advancement of (Slovenian) science.
The researchers who will take part in the project come from various research and educational institutions in Slovenia and abroad (ZRC SAZU, University of Ljubljana, EDYTEM), and we have diverse, but complementary knowledge that is needed for the implementation of the project. In the past, a vast majority of the research team had successfully participated in joint research in the Julian Alps. The project brings together people of different ages, from young to experienced researchers, who will transfer their knowledge to younger generations.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
