Comptes Rendus Palevol
1 (1) - Pages 59-65Charcoal remains, evidence of ancient fire, have been discovered in the dolines of the asylvatic or deforested sub Mediterranean area, from the ‘Grands Causses’. First 14 C AMS dating on Pinus cf. sylvestris charcoal, cover the period 4805–2990 yr BP. This testifies to the development of a pine forest in the transition Middle–Late Holocene. The existence of several phases of fires, affecting the forests in the northwestern areas of the Causse during the second part of the Holocene is also proved. The origin of present-day herbaceous vegetation seems to date back to the Bronze Age.
Mediterranean, Holocene, mountains, forest, pasture, charcoal, Bronze age
