cOld Ice: A Survey and Monitoring Programme of High-Alpine Cultural Heritage in the Central Alps, Switzerland
Issue: Vol 2 (2015)
Journal: Journal of Glacial Archaeology
Subject Areas: Archaeology
Abstract:
Twenty years have passed since the Iceman’s discovery and the archaeological consequences of the rapid melting of the alpine glaciers have become well known. However, hardly any methodological procedures for glacial archaeology have been developed in Central Europe. In 2011, at the Dept. for Prehistory at the University of Zurich a project was founded with the aim to map ice patches with high archaeological potential throughout the Canton of Grisons/Switzerland. These valuable archaeological archives are to be studied before their eminent disappearance in order to answer questions regarding (pre)historic alpine land use, concentrating on communication routes, hunting, pastoral activities, trade and war. To be able to evaluate the ice patches a set of criteria influencing the probability of the presence of finds and the quality of their conservation was compiled. Analysis and visualizations based on aerial photography, landscapes models, glacial and cultural history, historical maps as well as calculations were made using ArcGIS. The resulting predictive model has been tested and continuously adapted during the late summer of 2011 and 2012 through systematic surveying. Such a model will become the basis of a monitoring programme from 2013 onwards.
Author: Leandra Reitmaier-Naef, Thomas Reitmaier
References :
Andrews, T.D. and MacKay, G. 2012. “The Archaeology and Paleoecology of Alpine Ice Patches. A Global Perspective.” Arctic 65(5), Supp.1: iii–vi. http://dx.doi.org/10.14430/arctic4181
Andrews, T.D., G. McKay and L. Andrew. 2012. “Archaeological Investigations of Alpine Ice Patches in the Selwyn Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada. Arctic 65(5), Supp.1: 1–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.14430/arctic4182
Callanan, M. 2014. “Bronze Age Arrows from Norwegian Alpine Snow Patches.” Journal of Glacial Archaeology 1: 25–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1558/jga.v1i1.25
Della Casa, P., T. Reitmaier, L. Naef. 2013. “Valleys, Pastures and Passes. New Research Issues from the Swiss Central Alps.” Preistoria Alpina 47: 39–47.
Della Casa, P. 2007. “Transalpine pass routes in the Swiss Central Alps and the strategic use of topographic resources.” Preistoria Alpina 42: 109-118.
———. 2000a. “Mesolcina praehistorica. Mensch und Naturraum in einem Bündner Südalpental vom Mesolithikum bis in römische Zeit. UPA 67. Bonn: Habelt.
———. 2000b. “Eckdaten der prähistorischen Besiedlung der Alpen, mit Augenmerk auf das Misox und die Zentral- und Südalpen.” In I Leponti tra mito e realtà. Raccolta di saggi in occasione della mostra 1, edited by R. C. de Mrainis, S. Biaggio Simona: 79-92. Locarno: Dado.
———. 1999. “Prehistoric alpine environment, society and economy. Papers of the international colloquium PAESE ’97 in Zurich. UPA 55. Bonn: Habelt.
Dixon, E. J., Manley, W. F. and Lee, C. M. 2005. “The Emerging Archaeology of Glaciers and Ice Patches. Examples From Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.” American Antiquity 70(1): 129–143.
Farnell, R., G. Hare, E. Blake, V. Bowyer, C. Schweger, S. Greer and R. Gotthardt. 2004. “Multidisciplinary Investigations of Alpine Ice Patches in Southwest Yukon, Canada. Paleoenvironmental and Paleobiological Investigations.” Arctic 57(3): 247–258. http://dx.doi.org/10.14430/arctic502
Grosjean, M., P. J. Suter, M. Trachsel and H. Wanner. 2007. “Iceborne Prehistoric Finds in the Swiss Alps Reflect Holocene Glacier Fluctuations.” Journal of Quaternary Science 22: 203–207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jqs.1111
Gross, G. 1975. “Die geschichtliche Bedeutung der Gebirgspässe zwischen Montafon, Paznaun und Graubünden (Silvretta- und Rätikongruppe).” Unpubl. sem. thesis. University of Innsbruck.
Haeberli, W., R. Frauenfelder, A. Kääb and St. Wagner. 2004. “Characteristics and potential climatic significance of ‘miniature ice caps’ (crest-and cornice-type lowaltitude ice archives).” Journal of Glaciology 50(168): 129–136. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756504781830330
Hafner, A. 2015. “Schnidejoch und Lötschenpass. Archäologische Forschungen in den Berner Alpen = Schnidejoch et Lötschenpass. Investigations archéologiques dans les Alpes bernoises.” Bern: Archäologischer Dienst des Kantons Bern.
———. 2012. Archaeological Discoveries on Schnidejoch and at Other Ice Sites in the European Alps.“ Arctic 65(5), Suppl. 1: 189-202. 2008.
Joerin, U. E., K. Nicolussi, A. Fischer, T. F. Stocker, C. Schlüchter. 2008. “Holocene optimum events inferred from subglacial sediments at Tschierva Glacier, Eatern Swiss Alps.” Quaternary Science Reviews 27(3/4); 337–350. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2007.10.016
Joerin, U. E., T. F. Stocker and Ch. Schlüchter. 2006. “Multicentury Glacier Fluctuations in the Swiss Alps During the Holocene.” The Holocene 16(5): 697–704. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/0959683606hl964rp
Krause, R. 2009. “Die urgeschichtliche Besiedlung des Montafons. Zur Archäologie einer inneralpinen Siedlungskammer.” In Montafon 2. Besiedlung—Bergbau—Relikte. Von der Steinzeit bis zum Ende des Mittelalters, Das Montafon in Geschichte und Gegenwart, edited by R. Rollinger, A. Rudigier. Schruns: Montafoner Museen: 10-46.
Maisch, M. 1992. Die Gletscher Graubündens. Rekonstruktion und Auswertung der Gletscher und deren Veränderungen seit dem Hochstand von 1850 im Gebiet der östlichen Schweizer Alpen (Bündnerland und angrenzende Regionen). Teil A: Grundlagen—Analysen—Ergebnisse. Zürich: Geographisches Institut der Universität Zürich.
Meyer, W. 1992. “Der Söldner vom Theodulpass und andere Gletscherfunde aus der Schweiz.“Der Mann im Eis. Bericht über das internationale Symposium in Innsbruck 1992,” edited by F. Höpfel, W. Platzer and K. Spindler: 321–333. Innsbruck: Eigenverlag der Universität Innsbruck.
Mitchell, P. 2008. “Practising archaeology at a time of climatic catastrophe.” Antiquity 82: 1093–1103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0003598X00097805
Naef, L. 2015. “Alpines Eis—bedrohtes Kulturarchiv.” Archäologie in Graubünden 2: 161–179.
———. 2013. “Alpines Eis—bedrohtes Kulturarchiv.” Unpublished MA thesis. University of Zurich.
Oeggl, K., Nicolussi, K. 2009. “Prähistorische Besiedlung von zentralen Alpentälern in Bezug zur Klimaentwicklung.” In Klimawandel in Österreich. Die letzten 20 000 Jahre und ein Blick voraus, edited by R. Schmid, C. Matulla, R. Psenner. Alpine space—man & environment 6: 77–86.
Primas, M. 2009. “Nicht nur Kupfer und Salz. Die Alpen im wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Umfeld des 2. Jahrtausends.” Die wirtschaftlichen Grundlagen der Bronzezeit Europas. Forschungen zur Archäometrie und Altertumswissenschaft, edited by M. Bartelheim, H. Stäuble. Rhaden/Westf.: Leidorf: 189–211.
———. 1998. “Der bronzezeitliche Landausbau in den Alpen.” Mensch und Umwelt in der Bronzezeit Europas, edited by B. Hänsel. Kiel: Oetker-Voges: 355–365.
Rageth, J. 1995. “Ein Gletscherleichenfund im Piz-Kesch-Gebiet.” Bündner Monatsblatt 5: 365–391.
Reitmaier, T. M. Camichel, N. Frater, S. Meyer, R. Seiler, M. Häusler, F. Rühli, M. Volken and S. Volken. 2015. “Eine weibliche Gletscherleiche aus der Zeit um 1690 aus Graubünden.” Archäologie in Graubünden 2: 13–21.
———. 2012. “Letzte Jäger, erste Hirten. Hochalpine Archäologie in der Silvretta. Archäologie in Graubünden Sonderheft 1.” Chur: Südostschweiz Buchverlag.
Rogers, S. 2014. “An Overview of Selected GIS Methods Avilable for Use in Glacial Archaeology.” Journal of Glacial Archaeology 1: 99–115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1558/jga.v1i1.99
Rogers, S., M. Fischer, M. Huss. 2014. “Combining glaciological and archaeological methods for gauging glacial archaeological potential.” Journal of Archaeological Science 52: 410–420. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2014.09.010
Schneckenburger, G. 2002. “Über die Alpen. Menschen, Wege, Waren.” Stuttgart: Archäologisches Landesmuseum Baden-Württemberg.
Stadler, H. 2005. “‘Untertan kontra Obrigkeit.’ Die Gletscherleiche des Wilderers Norbert Mattersberger vom Gradetzkees in Osttirol.” In Brüche und Brücken. Kulturtransfer im Alpenraum von der Steinzeit bis zur Gegenwart, edited by J. Holzner and E. Walde: 236–249. Wien: Folio.
Steiner, H. 2013. “Der Gang ins Hochgebirge. Archäologische Gletscherfunde in Südtirol.” In Erhalten und erforschen. Festschrift für Helmut Stampfer, edited by M. Cescutti and J. Riedmann: 369–392. Schlern-Schriften 361. Innsbruck: Studienverlag.
———. 2015. “Aufgetaut. Gletscherfunde am Langgrubenjoch (Matsch/Schnalstal).” In Antiquitates Tyrolenses. Festschrift für Hans Nothdurfter zum 75. Geburtstag, edited by L. Andergassen and P. Gleirscher: 11–30. Innsbruck: Wagner.
VanderHoek, R., B. Wygal, R.M. Tedor and C. E. Holmes. 2007a. “Survey and Monitoring of Ice Patches in the Denali Highway Region, Central Alaska, 2003–2005.” Alaska Journal of Anthropology 5(2): 67–86.
VanderHoek, R., R. M. Tedor and J. D. McMahan. 2007b. “Cultural Materials Recovered From Ice Patches In The Denali Highway Region, Central Alaska, 2003–2005.” Alaska Journal of Anthropology 5(2): 185–200.
Walsh, K., Mocci, F. 2011. “Mobility in the Mountains. Late Third and Second Millennia Alpine Societies’ Engagements with the High-Altitude Zones in the southern French Alps.” European Journal of Archaeology 14: 88–115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/146195711798369427