Ricerche archeologiche alle sorgenti del Brembo: ricognizioni e scavi condotti in Val Camisana (Carona, Bergamo) tra il 2009 e il 2017

Archaeological investigation at the sources of the River Brembo: surveys and excavations in Val Camisana (Carona, Bergamo, Northern Italy) between 2009 and 2017. The present contribution aims to provide communication of the 2009 to 2017 field seasons in Val Camisana (Carona, Bergamo). The project takes place in a high altitude, Alpine, setting, between 2100 and 2350 m asl, within an area of archeological and historical relevance for the rich attestation of rock incisions and inscriptions, dated from the Iron Age up to the contemporary era. The Val Camisana survey, among other structures, allowed the identification of a large enclosure with annexed shelter, and of a second shelter in proximity of a large rock isolated in the center of the valley. Despite the overall paucity of archaeological materials associated to those structures, radiocarbon dating of charcoals from the excavated deposits point to a significant Early Medieval (7 th century CE) and Modern-Historical/Contemporary occupation of the area. Potential and limitations of high-altitude archaeology are discussed.