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Sustainable management of metallurgical forest on Mont Lozère (France) during the Early Middle Ages

Author

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  • Sandrine Paradis-Grenouillet
  • Philippe Allée
  • Gabriel Servera Vives
  • Alain Ploquin

Abstract

Mont Lozère, located in the French Massif Central region, provides an exceptional context in which to research the impact that charcoal production and metallurgy had on woodlands, along with the role that these activities played in changing the mountain landscape. This study provides an insight into the land use, forest management methods and metallurgical practices in the area during the Middle Ages (11th to 15th centuries). Medieval charcoal burning platforms, archaeological remains that have often been neglected in the past as a source of historical information, along with nearby smelting sites, were identified, sampled and analysed. In this paper, spatial analyses, radiocarbon dating and anthracological and dendro-anthracological studies have been combined in a unique manner. The results reveal that charcoal burners practiced beech coppicing, where the species and diameter of wood used remained the same over a period of four centuries. It is proposed that this form of metallurgical forest management be considered an early example of a sustainable utilisation of natural resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandrine Paradis-Grenouillet & Philippe Allée & Gabriel Servera Vives & Alain Ploquin, 2015. "Sustainable management of metallurgical forest on Mont Lozère (France) during the Early Middle Ages," Environmental Archaeology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 168-183, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:yenvxx:v:20:y:2015:i:2:p:168-183
    DOI: 10.1179/1749631414Y.0000000050
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    Cited by:

    1. Molewski Paweł, 2022. "A Spatial Model of Forest Area in the Middle Ages Based on Historical, Archaeological and Geographic Data: A Case Study of 13th-Century Chełmno Land (North-Central Poland)," Quaestiones Geographicae, Sciendo, vol. 41(3), pages 53-74, September.

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