Modelling archaeological potential of high altitude passes and trails, Pennine Alps, Valais and borders

Neolithic hunter at the Schnidejoch pass.

The accelerated melting of glaciers in the Alps is freeing up many archaeological relics which have demonstrated the use of high altitude passes since prehistoric times. There is an urgency to collect and conserve these archaeological findings as most objects consist of perishable material and, once exposed to the environment, rapidly degrade and decompose. The disappearance of this prehistoric and/or historic material is an inestimable loss which would impede the understanding of how people have used these glaciated high altitude passages throughout history.

Sponsored by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Canton of Valais and the University of Fribourg, this 3 years project (2011-2013) aims at developping methods using GIS tools  to localize sites with the highest potential of artefacts discovery in high altitude passes and trails in the Pennine Alps (Canton of Valais and italian Alps). The study area is one of the most glaciated territories of the whole Alpine arc and is located between the Canton of Valais (Switzerland) and the Italian border. 

We will use a multidisciplinary approach to develop a predictive model based on geographic, historic and cultural inputs. An archival text analysis is being conducted along with a critical analysis of historic publications to obtain more information about ancient trails and passes through these mountains.