Modeling the Spatial Distribution of the Causse’s Dolmens by Remote Sensing
Abstract
Neolithic monuments and burial sites can only be studied in their spatial context (Bowden et al. 2015; Sévin-Allouet 2016; Luc Laporte, López-romero, and Bernard 2015; Wunderlich 2019). The landscape and ancient monuments are sufficiently well preserved to give an overall view, and this is one of the major interests of the Grands Causses. Another advantage is that the limestone soils provide excellent preservation of bones, offering major opportunities for studying osteological series, ancient DNA (palaeogenomics) and isotopes. Since 3300 BC, the Grands Causses have been one of the oldest and most important metallurgical areas in Western Europe, extracting and producing copper as well as lead and mixed metals (Maillé et al. 2019). These ecological and economic factors could have formed the basis of a certain cultural unity. Characterizing socially, and even understand the significance of sites, hitherto known as dolmens, sepulchral caves, chests, etc., considering their location in relation to the landscape and other sites, their architecture and chronology, and the funerary practices that were carried out there. Conceptual framework: Understand the significance of sites considering their situation in relation to the landscape and other sites. Scientific interests:
-Characterized their architecture and chronology, the funerary practices, and populations.
-Study the cultural transmission (Guglielmino et al. 1995) from these sites or related to them (location, interrelations with the landscape, types of monuments, associated furniture) over the extended period from 3500 BCE to 1800 BCE.
Interdisciplinary approach: interests of the remote sensing and the spatial analysis methods
-Spatial remote sensing approach intended at recognizing dolmen settlement sites?
-Identifying the potential interrelationships between landscape types and dolmen locations?
-Recognizing the typical dolmen’s patterns?
-Estimating the possible locations of dolmens that have disappeared (destroyed, etc.)?