Charcoal analysis at Limon-Raspail (Vaucluse, Southeastern France): new data concerning the vegetation and its management in Provence at the end of the Neolithic (2880-2580 cal. B.C.)

The charcoal analysis of the Late Neolithic open-air settlement of Limon-Raspail (Southeastern France, 2880-2580 cal. B.C.) documents the vegetal landscape and its management in the Mediterranean hinterland, between the Rhone lower alluvial plain and the alpine foothills, during a period of increasing agro-pastoral pressure and territorial competition. This area at the edge of the Mediterranean influence is poorly documented at this time while the foreland seems concerned by a shift from the primary deciduous oak forest to the evergreen shrubland. The charcoal samples proceed from accumulation in stratified individual and clustered pits used as hearths or middens. The spectrum suggests the importance of the deciduous oak forest and the exploitation of contrasted formations such as supra-mediterranean, mountain, shrubland and more humid vegetation. In the uppermost layers, the significant diversification of the taxa – mainly the shrubland ones – may reflect a slight opening up of the landscape or a change in woody resources supply. The potential biogeographic and socio-economical causes are detailed thanks to a review of the regional anthracological data.