Un approccio di “Archeologia Totale” per indagare il paesaggio montano: il caso-studio delle Dolomiti bellunesi settentrionali (BL)/A “Total Archaeology” approach to investigate the mountain landscapes: the case-study of the northern Belluno Dolomites (BL).

Following over a decade of successful research activity in the Trentino area, the first prehistoric investigations in the northern Belluno Dolomites started in the mid 1980ies. The main result of such investigations was the discovery and the archaeological excavations at the site of Mondeval de Sora (San Vito di Cadore, 2,150m asl), undertaken between 1985 and 2000 by the University of Ferrara. These research initiatives revealed an interesting Mesolithic context, including a remarkably well preserved and rich Mesolithic burial, the highest prehistoric burial in Europe (Fontana et al. 2016). This discovery led to an intensification of survey activities in the areas surrounding the site. These surveys, carried out also by local amateurs, enabled the identification of several lithic scatters in the area between the Boite and Cordevole valleys (sub-tributaries of the Piave river) at altitudes spanning between 1800 and 2700 m asl. Between 2011 and 2015 a new survey project was undertaken by the Universities of Ferrara and Trento with the objective of reconstructing the human colonisation of this highland territory from prehistoric times to present day. The project was preceded by a phase of bibliographic data collection, analysis of available cartographic resources and, as for historical periods, remote sensing analysis. The fieldwork was aimed at assessing the previously discovered evidence and recording any other sign of past human activity identifiable on the surface, with no chronological restriction (Visentin et al. 2016a). Such approach was defined “Total archaeology”, with reference not only to the diachronic perspective but also to the multi-scale approach adopted (micro- e.g. artefacts; meso- e.g. rock engravings; macro- e.g. structures and facilities). Sample areas were selected for the extensive survey based on the presence of previously identified sites and specific topographic features. During fieldwork campaigns specific zones were investigated more intensively than others, because they provided favourable visibility conditions and/or significant natural and anthropic features (structures, boulders or rock shelters). Several hundreds of archaeological contexts were recorded during the survey, from scattered archaeological materials to more evident landscape features. Over one hundred prehistoric find-spots, mostly composed of lithic knapped artefacts, associated in a few cases to potsherds and/or faunal remains, were identified and/or re-identified and positioned. The chronology of these find-spots was often difficult to infer from the techno-typological features of the lithic assemblages but when this was possible, the record could be attributed to the time span included between the Late Palaeolithic and the Bronze Age, and predominantly to the Mesolithic and the Copper age periods (Fig. 1). The Mesolithic evidence highlights an intense exploitation of these areas both by Sauveterrian and Castelnovian groups with very similar settlement strategies. The position of most sites seems to reflect displacements along paths (mostly corresponding to the modern ones) which allow a good visibility on the surrounding territory and reduced vertical shifts moving from one location to the other (Visentin et al. 2016b). The spatial analysis of this record has contributed to assessing the overall weight of research biases and the reliability of the current evidence for the reconstruction of past settlement patterns (Visentin and Carrer 2017). The unexpected discovery of a fragment of Late Neolithic/Copper Age flat-retouched point on the peak of Lastoni di Formin (2654 m asl), was associated to a flint dagger found on the neighbouring Mount Cernera (at similar altitude). These two isolated finds were tentatively interpreted as voluntary depositions, possibly related to early forms of territoriality in these marginal landscapes (Cavulli et al. 2015). Some archaeological contexts were dated to the historical period. Enclosures and huts/shelters for shepherds were documented in different parts of the study-area, along with hay-making facilities and charcoal burners, showing the historical roots of traditional practices still carried out in these mountains during the 20th century. Trenches related to the WWI and markers of ephemeral touristic occupation (e.g. isolated hearts, modern artefacts under a rock shelter) provided evidence of the most recent human interaction with these environments. Particularly noticeable is also a series of compass-made circles, engraved in outcropping bedrock and isolated stones, preliminarily interpreted as border markers and generically attributed to the historical period. To conclude, the Total Archaeology project assessed that the Belluno Dolomites represent a rich and potentially very informative region for the reconstruction of long-term highland occupation strategies in the Alps. One of the richest areas, the Prà Comun, near Passo Giau, has been selected for the development of stratigraphic investigations scheduled for the summer 2019 (Fig. 2).