Archaeology and prehistory in the Land of the Écrins
When the mountains reveal their secrets
Walking to search
Under the peaks of the Écrins, long before hikers and climbers, other adventurers were already treading these lands: prehistoric hunters. Since 1998, a Franco-English team of archaeologists, led by Kevin Walsh and Florence Mocci, has been conducting the investigation. Their mission: to find traces of the first human occupations at altitude.
For that, nothing rocket science (apparently): they work. For a long time, far away, his eyes riveted on the ground scrutinizing carved flints, ceramic shards, or arranged stones. This method of pedestrian prospecting has made it possible to locate more than 250 archaeological sites between the Argentiérois and the Vallouise, dating from the Palaeolithic to the medieval period.
Remains at altitude
And the excavations? They were concentrated in Freissinières, Puy Saint Vincent and L’Argentière-la-Bessée, where hunting stations, 4200-year-old agropastoral remains, and even medieval mining sites were found. Little ceramic, but a lot of cut stones. One of the most impressive objects? An arrowhead perched at more than 2500 meters, near the lake of Faravel.
The Écrins shelter: prehistoric art gallery
The real jewel is the Écrins shelter, discovered in 2010 at an altitude of 2133 m. A unique site, both a refuge and a gallery of rock art. Red and ochre paintings depicting mysterious features and two animals confronting each other — perhaps deer — adorn its walls. A rarity in the Western Alps, still under study.
Where to see all this?
The major sites are located at:
- Faravel plateau : lithic objects and prehistoric hunting site.
- Freissinières : agropastoral remains and painted shelter.
- Puy Saint Vincent : prospecting and excavation areas.
- L’Argentière-la-Bessée : excavations and mining heritage.
To extend the exploration, download the Hautes-Alpes Heritage app. You will find information, maps and routes to crawl through the story, Écrins version.