L’agglomération protohistorique de Chens-sur-Léman. Un modèle d’habitat inédit

Abstract

Les campagnes de fouilles effectuées entre 2009 et 2012 à Chens-sur-Léman (Haute-Savoie) permettent de renouveler la connaissance de l’habitat à l’âge du Bronze. Entre 1500 et 800 avant notre ère, on voit se développer sans interruption des concentrations de maisons qui vont s’agglomérer de plus en plus. Les chemins et l’implantation du parcellaire, et, de manière générale, l’organisation du territoire va être de plus en plus marquée. La forme des maisons va évoluer jusqu’à se standardiser vers 1050 avant notre ère. À cette période de densification la plus forte de la population, l’habitat du plateau va déborder jusqu’au bord du lac qui va voir émerger de nombreux palafittes.

Bronze Age innovations and impact on human diet: A multi-isotopic and multi-proxy study of western Switzerland

“…Although the quality and quantity is different according to each Bronze Age phase, the results highlight that barley, wheat and legumes did not suffer hydric stress ( Fig 3B ). Paths lined by small ditches and small artificial channel structures that canalized water towards fields were discovered in the site from which the carpological remains come from [ 47 ], suggesting that water was provided by humans through irrigation infrastructures. Usually, Δ 13 C values for barley grains are ≈ 1‰ higher than those for wheat grown in similar water conditions, mainly because of a difference in crop cycles [ 104 ].…”

“…Not only the number of plants increased, but also the production techniques improved and land use changed [ 42 , 46 ]. There is evidence for the use of crop rotation, fertilization and water supply systems to increase agricultural production [ 47 ]. Animal husbandry still played a crucial role in the economy, with an increased dominance of sheep and goats at the end of the Bronze Age, although the main meat supply was provided by cattle [ 48 – 50 ].…”