- Archaeology, Near Eastern Archaeology, Anthropology, Bioarchaeology, History, Arabian/Persian Gulf Archaeology, and 32 moreEpigraphic South Arabian, Arabian Peninsula in Antiquity, History of Pre-Islamic Arabia, Oasis, Aksumite Archaeology, Irrigation, Irrigation water Management, Hydraulics, Ancient hydraulic technology, Qanat systems, Sustainable Water Management, Qanats, Remote Sensing, Ancient Agriculture & Farming (Archaeology), Yemen, Archeobotany, South Arabian Culture, South Arabian Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Archaeological Method & Theory, Ancient Near East, Geoarchaeology, Mesopotamian Archaeology, Ancient Near East (Archaeology), Archaeology of Oman, Journal of Oman Studies, Archaeology of Oman peninsula, GIS and Landscape Archaeology, African Archaeology, Origins of Agriculture, Hydrology, Water Resources engineering, and Iron Ageedit
- Archaeologist, expert on ancient water systems in Arabia, I am currently leading the Al-Ula Cultural Oasis Project (U... moreArchaeologist, expert on ancient water systems in Arabia, I am currently leading the Al-Ula Cultural Oasis Project (UCOP) on behalf of Archaïos company & in partnership with AFALULA and the Royal Commission for Al-Ula (Saudi Arabia). Since 2016, I am also leading the study of Masafi oasis, a 2nd and 1st millennium BC settlement in the UAE. My research focuses on the impact of environmental change on cultural developments in drylands. I am specifically investigating the role of water management in the evolution of social structure during the 2nd half of the Holocene. My methodological approach combines survey and excavation of settlement sites in arid areas, remote sensing and mapping of irrigation systems, as well as the ethnoarchaeological study of present-day oasian communities.edit
Funded and steered by the French Agency for AlUla Development (Afalula) on behalf of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the AlUla Cultural Oasis Project (UCOP), undertaken by Archaïos, aims at mapping and understanding the spatial... more
Funded and steered by the French Agency for AlUla Development (Afalula) on behalf of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the AlUla Cultural Oasis Project (UCOP), undertaken by Archaïos, aims at mapping and understanding the spatial organization of the al-ʿUlā oasis (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). The project’s methodology includes a systematic foot survey of cultivated areas in al-ʿUlā Valley, the vectorization of identified archaeological structures on the GIS using high-resolution orthophoto maps, as well as remote sensing on archive imagery. In the present paper we aim to fill the gaps in our knowledge of the understudied Islamic and pre-modern Arabian oases by presenting and proposing a preliminary analysis of the archaeological map of al-ʿUlā Valley, resulting from the first five field seasons of UCOP (2019–2021). For this purpose, we will delineate the ‘historical oasis of al-ʿUlā Old Town’ (i.e. the locale formed by al-ʿUlā Old Town and associated gardens and fields, from their foundation in the middle Islamic period to the early twentieth century), provide a first study of its spatial organization, describe its components, and highlight the rapid growth of the gardens during the twentieth century. Ultimately, our objective is to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of this exceptional heritage, which is inseparable from the already protected al-ʿUlā Old Town.
Research Interests:
Le projet interdisciplinaire UCOP (AlUla Cultural Oasis Project) s’inscrit dans le cadre du « Projet Oasis » initié par l’Agence Française pour le Développement d'AlUla (Afalula) en partenariat avec la Commission Royale pour AlUla (RCU)... more
Le projet interdisciplinaire UCOP (AlUla Cultural Oasis Project) s’inscrit dans le cadre du « Projet Oasis » initié par l’Agence Française pour le Développement d'AlUla (Afalula) en partenariat avec la Commission Royale pour AlUla (RCU) en 2019. Porté par la société Archaïos, UCOP vise à reconstituer l’histoire de l’une des plus importantes oasis d’Arabie. AlUla prospère en effet depuis plusieurs millénaires grâce à une habile gestion de l’eau et des sols et surtout par son implantation sur les routes de commerce et de pèlerinage.
Research Interests: Remote Sensing, Landscape Archaeology, Saudi Arabia, Remote sensing and GIS applications in Landscape Research, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and 7 moreArchaeological survey, Arabian Peninsula, Oasis, Archaeological surveying and mapping, Archaeology of the Arabian Peninsula, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Saudi Arabian Archaeology
The palm grove of al-ʿUlā (AlUla) oasis (KSA) contains, besides plots solely dedicated to agriculture, hundreds of complexes called 'farms' that are spatially divided into two groups, with at least one of them established after the early... more
The palm grove of al-ʿUlā (AlUla) oasis (KSA) contains, besides plots solely dedicated to agriculture, hundreds of complexes called 'farms' that are spatially divided into two groups, with at least one of them established after the early twentieth century. These farms and their components are subject to an in-depth study conducted within the AlUla Cultural Oasis Project (UCOP) led by Archaïos, and funded and steered by the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) on behalf of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). All built with local materials-mainly earth-these farms reflect the ingenuity of Arabian vernacular architecture and its evolution. Firstly, construction techniques used within the oasis farms will be discussed in this paper. Secondly, focus will be on farm dwellings: al-ʿUlā oasis houses present a range of possibilities, from single-cell to multi-cell buildings, with interior and exterior courtyards, terraces, and upper floors. The examination of a large number of these dwellings allowed us to identify the function of certain spaces and to consider the daily life and societal structure of the inhabitants of al-ʿUlā oasis who settled in their palm grove until the 1980s. This research aims to fill a major gap: in terms of Saudi Arabia, rural buildings have never been subject to comprehensive studies, while in many places they are currently threatened by development.
Research Interests:
Over 400 fragmentary coloured glass bangles have so far been collected in the al-ʿUlā oasis during the archaeological survey carried out within the framework of the ongoing AlUla Cultural Oasis Project (UCOP) led by Archaïos, funded and... more
Over 400 fragmentary coloured glass bangles have so far been collected in the al-ʿUlā oasis during the archaeological survey carried out within the framework of the ongoing AlUla Cultural Oasis Project (UCOP) led by Archaïos, funded and steered by the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) on behalf of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). A technological and morphological study has enabled the establishment of a typology and a relative chronology of the various glass jewellery productions in al-ʿUlā. Several criteria allow us to isolate different glass productions and to draw connections between al-ʿUlā's assemblage, still unpublished, and other glass bangle corpuses located in the neighbouring regions, mainly in Palestine and Egypt but also farther afield, in the Indian Ocean and in Bohemia. Spatial distribution and compositional analysis (LA-ICP-MS) of the well-dated types of glass bangles thus provide evidence of both the evolution of the al-ʿUlā oasis and its role within the trade networks and the Hajj route from the fourteenth to the twentieth century AD.
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Archaeological investigations conducted since 2006 at Masāfī (hinterlands of the Emirate of Fujairah, UAE) have led to the discovery of several architectural entities organised around the local palm grove and in use from the Bronze Age... more
Archaeological investigations conducted since 2006 at Masāfī (hinterlands of the Emirate of Fujairah, UAE) have led to the discovery of several architectural entities organised around the local palm grove and in use from the Bronze Age onwards. The whole complex constitutes an important site for understanding the regional protohistory in Eastern Arabia, in particular regarding the development of oasis agriculture as well as copper mining and metallurgy. The site of Masāfī 5 has revealed the presence of an ancient settlement organised on a series of terraces which have been occupied during the Late Bronze Age (1600–1300 BCE) and at the beginning of the Iron Age (1300–300 BCE). Domestic and potential metallurgical activities at the site have been evidenced by the presence of fireplaces and furnaces that could have been used for copper smelting. The site economy is also documented by faunal remains, including those of domesticated mammals and a substantial amount of marine shells.
The results of the present study highlight that marine molluscs were not only exploited as seafood at Masāfī 5 but also for their shell, which was used both as tools and raw material for the production of adornments, including polished plaques of mother-of-pearl and Conus rings. Use-wear analyses have shown the use of shell tools for processing vegetal fibres—we suggested that date palm fibres (i.e., leaflets and leaf sheath) were exploited and used. Coastal-hinterland exchange across the region during the Bronze Age and the Iron Age (3rd-1st millennia BCE) is discussed in light of the present results.
The results of the present study highlight that marine molluscs were not only exploited as seafood at Masāfī 5 but also for their shell, which was used both as tools and raw material for the production of adornments, including polished plaques of mother-of-pearl and Conus rings. Use-wear analyses have shown the use of shell tools for processing vegetal fibres—we suggested that date palm fibres (i.e., leaflets and leaf sheath) were exploited and used. Coastal-hinterland exchange across the region during the Bronze Age and the Iron Age (3rd-1st millennia BCE) is discussed in light of the present results.
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Despite al-ʿŪla’s arid climate, the earliest sedentary settlement in the wadi dates as far back as the first millennium BC and has been continuously inhabited up to the present day. Rare and short-duration rainfall forced the inhabitants... more
Despite al-ʿŪla’s arid climate, the earliest sedentary settlement in the wadi dates as far back as the first millennium BC and has been continuously inhabited up to the present day. Rare and short-duration rainfall forced the inhabitants of the wadi to develop several methods to exploit underground water resources. While the well-known qanat network has been partially studied (Nasif 1988), there remains a significant lacuna in the understanding of the wells. The al-‘Ūla Cultural Oasis Project (UCOP) — led by Archaïos, funded and steered by the French Agency for Al-Ula Development (AFALULA), on behalf of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula (RCU) — highlighted the study of the wells in its research programme. The preliminary study took place during the autumn of 2020 with a corpus of almost twenty structures detected by remote sensing, followed by a systematic field survey and photogrammetry of a relevant example. This work enabled the establishment of a preliminary typology and a relative chronology of these structures. The study of the distribution of the wells is furthermore essential to the understanding of the spatial development of the oasis.
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Over the past fifteen years the French archaeological mission in the UAE has excavated several areas of Masāfī in Fujairah. A Late Bronze Age settlement was found in MSF-5 and Iron Age architectural remains in MSF-1, MSF-2, and MSF-3 that... more
Over the past fifteen years the French archaeological mission in the UAE has excavated several areas of Masāfī in Fujairah. A Late Bronze Age settlement was found in MSF-5 and Iron Age architectural remains in MSF-1, MSF-2, and MSF-3 that include, respectively, a public building, fortified settlements, and a temple possibly dedicated to the cult of the snake, similar to Bithnah. The oasis environment in this rather arid region makes it suitable for agro-pastoral activities. The study of the faunal remains of these four areas (NISP 1657) indicates that domesticates — predominantly sheep and goat with a ratio of 1:2 — were the main meat/dairy component of the diet. Cattle are only present in a few remains and dromedary remains were recovered in the public areas of MSF-1 and 3. Wild taxa are only represented by gazelle remains. The absence of wild animals is the main difference from most contemporaneous sites in the UAE, where they have economic and social importance alongside domestic animals. While fish remains are scarce in Masāfī sites, molluscs are surprisingly abundant and confirm the existence of exchange between the coast and the hinterland. They were consumed or used for craft production.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
In order to understand the role of water resources in the establishment and long-term evolution of settlements investigated by the French Archaeological Mission in the UAE in the oasis of Masāfī, wells and springs of all periods,... more
In order to understand the role of water resources in the establishment and long-term evolution of settlements investigated by the French Archaeological Mission in the UAE in the oasis of Masāfī, wells and springs of all periods, identified at the surface and in stratified contexts, were mapped and studied thanks to a multidisciplinary approach combining archaeology, geomorphology, geoarchaeology and ethnography. Our study demonstrates that:
– The Masāfī oasis was located in a specific geological setting entailing the accumulation of groundwater resources at reachable depth.
– The groundwater resources remained rather stable from the mid-second millennium BC to the second half of the twentieth century AD. In this respect, the apparent abandonment of the oasis during some periods cannot be explained by water depletion.
– The groundwater resources have decreased sharply since the second half of the twentieth century AD, due to the introduction of new water extraction technologies, motor pumps and then drillings, as a result of the modernisation and industrialisation of UAE economy.
Our study also stresses the importance of well and spring irrigation in the development of the sedentary settlements in south-eastern Arabia, technologies that have often been neglected in the regional archaeological literature in favour of the qanāt.
– The Masāfī oasis was located in a specific geological setting entailing the accumulation of groundwater resources at reachable depth.
– The groundwater resources remained rather stable from the mid-second millennium BC to the second half of the twentieth century AD. In this respect, the apparent abandonment of the oasis during some periods cannot be explained by water depletion.
– The groundwater resources have decreased sharply since the second half of the twentieth century AD, due to the introduction of new water extraction technologies, motor pumps and then drillings, as a result of the modernisation and industrialisation of UAE economy.
Our study also stresses the importance of well and spring irrigation in the development of the sedentary settlements in south-eastern Arabia, technologies that have often been neglected in the regional archaeological literature in favour of the qanāt.
Research Interests:
Oases have been cultivated and irrigated in arid environments for millennia. They have been endangered recently by climatic and socio-economic changes. In order to fuel the debate on their rational management, it was necessary to... more
Oases have been cultivated and irrigated in arid environments
for millennia. They have been endangered recently by climatic
and socio-economic changes. In order to fuel the debate on
their rational management, it was necessary to understand the
history of their formation. To locate former cultivated areas,
understand how and what plant resources were grown, and to
discuss their socio-climatic significance, modern environmental
data repositories were created in different areas of the Masafi
oasis (U.A.E.) within the framework of the ANR OASIWAT.
Multiscale sampling using a paleoecological (malacology,
phytolithology, anthracology) and pedological (physico-chemistry,
geochemistry, micromorphology) approach allowed
us to create and calibrate a model of proxy records in soils.
The results reveal a differential preservation of these proxies
and taphonomic biases in the interpretation of paleoecological
assemblages, demonstrating the need to combine them
with pedological analyses to identify irrigated, amended and
degraded areas.
for millennia. They have been endangered recently by climatic
and socio-economic changes. In order to fuel the debate on
their rational management, it was necessary to understand the
history of their formation. To locate former cultivated areas,
understand how and what plant resources were grown, and to
discuss their socio-climatic significance, modern environmental
data repositories were created in different areas of the Masafi
oasis (U.A.E.) within the framework of the ANR OASIWAT.
Multiscale sampling using a paleoecological (malacology,
phytolithology, anthracology) and pedological (physico-chemistry,
geochemistry, micromorphology) approach allowed
us to create and calibrate a model of proxy records in soils.
The results reveal a differential preservation of these proxies
and taphonomic biases in the interpretation of paleoecological
assemblages, demonstrating the need to combine them
with pedological analyses to identify irrigated, amended and
degraded areas.
Research Interests:
Oasis soils result from the combined action of natural and anthropic processes, and thus constitute valuable systems for the understanding of human–environment trajectories over the millennia. The present research aims to develop the... more
Oasis soils result from the combined action of natural and anthropic processes, and thus constitute valuable systems for the understanding of human–environment trajectories over the millennia. The present research aims to develop the study of ancient oasis soils by identifying proxies to detect past agricultural practices. Ten reference pits were dug in Masafi, in both cultivated plots (irrigated plots with palm trees/fruit trees/cereals; manure/ashes/carbonates) and abandoned ones. Bulk sediment samples were analysed for geochemistry/pedo-sedimentary studies: inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, loss on ignition, pH, electrical conductivity, grain size and magnetic susceptibility. This multiproxy approach enabled the creation of a soil typology of oasis agricultural modes. Irrigation and liming lead to salinisation, particularly in a B-horizon. Manure creates a hortic horizon, enriched in P and Zn. Ashes can be detected with a simultaneous increase of magnetic and salinity values. Soils in plots with fruit trees/cereals are not distinguishable from those with palm monoculture. Weathering was identified on the basis of the enrichment in Al, Ti, K Na, Ni, Cr and Fe, whereas proxies of ancient practices seem to be preserved after 15 years of abandonment. As leaching processes appear to be limited to the first 50 cm, the durability of soil signatures depends on how they were buried.
Research Interests:
Oases are subject to decreasing resources and changing human activities. Fully aware of their rich heritage, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have undertaken work to preserve and revitalize these oases. However, there is a clear lack of... more
Oases are subject to decreasing resources and changing human activities. Fully aware of their rich heritage, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have undertaken work to preserve and revitalize these oases. However, there is a clear lack of understanding of the dynamic links between climate change, hydraulic and agricultural management, and socioeconomic activities. To clarify these links, our team conducted a systematic geoarchaeological, geophysical, spatial, and chronological study of the Masafi oasis, UAE. Results indicate the existence of a natural humid area as early as the late Pleistocene (~18 cal ka BP). These conditions persist during the early-mid Holocene with drainage activation and soil development (~12–6.3 ka). During the late Holocene, after the emergence of the “artificial” oasis around ~3250 cal yr BP, cycles of intense management suggesting water availability (~3250–2380 cal yr BP; 550 cal yr BP) alternate with episodes of fluvial detritism (~2380–1870 cal yr BP; >550 cal yr BP) and scattered evidence of farming activities with complex hydroclimatic signatures (~2300–550 cal yr BP). These results, together with regional environmental data, indicate that water and soil resources were available and exploited strategically throughout the Holocene despite adverse climatic conditions, and the oasis of Masafi could have acted as a desert refugium .
Research Interests:
More about this book: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781351260237
Research Interests: Near Eastern Archaeology, Hydraulics, Landscape Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, and 15 moreArchaeology of Oman, Archaeology of Oman peninsula, Irrigation water Management, Iron Age, Ancient Irrigation Systems, Arabian/Persian Gulf Archaeology, Arabian Peninsula in Antiquity, History of Pre-Islamic Arabia, South Arabian Culture, Holocene environmental change, Ancient South Arabia, South Arabian Archaeology, Yemen archaeology, Early Bronze Age Oman, and Archaeology of UAE
The role of water management in the emergence of state societies in the Middle East has been widely discussed by anthropologists and archaeologists, who saw water as a means of controlling populations or, on the contrary, as an element of... more
The role of water management in the emergence of state societies in the Middle East has been widely discussed by anthropologists and archaeologists, who saw water as a means of controlling populations or, on the contrary, as an element of social cohesion. Yet, ethnoarchaeological studies of water systems are still rare. The aim of this article is therefore to lay the theoretical and methodological foundations of the ethnoarchaeology of water systems. We believe that such a methodological approach is the only way to understand the role of water in ancient societies.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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The qanāt, as a traditional, low-cost, sustainable, water distribution system, was fundamental for the settlement of arid environments. This brief introduction to the special issue ‘‘The Qanāt: Archaeology and Environment’’ presents an... more
The qanāt, as a traditional, low-cost, sustainable, water distribution system, was fundamental for the settlement of arid environments. This brief introduction to the special issue ‘‘The Qanāt: Archaeology and Environment’’ presents an overview of a workshop of the same name, held at Durham University in October 2014, and introduces the key themes that are explored through the papers in this volume. It also lays out the basis of an interdisciplinary research agenda for qanāt studies in archaeology.
Research Interests:
Located in the northern part of the Hajar mountains (UAE), the oasis of Masāfī benefits from abundant copper and water resources and a strategic location at the crossroad between the western piedmont and the shore of the Gulf of Oman. Our... more
Located in the northern part of the Hajar mountains (UAE), the oasis of Masāfī benefits from abundant copper and water resources and a strategic location at the crossroad between the western piedmont and the shore of the Gulf of Oman. Our project aims at reconstructing the dynamics and evolution of this oasis. An interdisciplinary approach was adopted for this purpose, based on a combination of archaeological, geoarchaeological, geomorphic, spatial, and botanical study. This article presents the methodology and the first results of our investigation in the southern part of the palm grove (Emirate of Fujairah) and more specifically: the mapping of the palm grove and the surrounding valley; the excavation of Iron Age hydraulic structures near the site of Masāfī-1; and the study of a test pit dug inside the palm grove. Thus, we will put forward first hypothesis on landscape use and evolution in the valley of Masāfī.
Research Interests: Soil Science, Geoarchaeology, Hydraulics, Irrigation, Archaeological Soil Micromorphology, and 15 moreArabian Gulf, Remote sensing and GIS applications in Landscape Research, Geo-spatial analysis with GIS and GPS, Hydraulic systems and structures, Protohistory, Iron Age, United Arab Emirates, Arabian/Persian Gulf Studies, Arabian/Persian Gulf Archaeology, Arabian Peninsula in Antiquity, History of Pre-Islamic Arabia, Oasis, Runoff, Hyrdrology, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
In South East Arabia (Sultanate of Oman and United Arab Emirates), oases are irrigated gardens characterised by intensive and mixed farming: date palms form a canopy under which other crops are protected from the sun’s rays and the heat.... more
In South East Arabia (Sultanate of Oman and United Arab Emirates), oases are irrigated gardens characterised by intensive and mixed farming: date palms form a canopy under which other crops are protected from the sun’s rays and the heat. The origin of this agrosystem and its impact on the historical trajectory of Arabian populations are still much debated issues. Some scholars have suggested that oases developed as soon as agriculture was introduced into the region, at the beginning of the Early Bronze Age (3200–2000 BC). The intensification of trade with neighbouring civilisations of Mesopotamia, Iran and Indus seems to have ignited the spark for the adoption of agriculture in Southeast Arabia. According to the existing theories, oases then emerged rapidly and were a means of adapting agriculture to the arid environment of this region. This agrosystem remained unchanged in its fundamental principles until the present day. This theory, however, denies the diachronic dimension of Southeast Arabian landscapes. The present chapter therefore aims to re-evaluate the data and reassess current theories of an Early Bronze Age origin for oases. An alternative development model, based on the available data, will be proposed. It is suggested that the development of oases corresponds to a long process with several steps resulting from environmental changes, technological innovation and socio-economic factors.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The aim of the project “Archaeological and Epigraphic Investigations in theTigrayRegion (1stmillenniumBC-7th centuryAD)” is the study of ancient Ethiopian civilisations. This includes transition between different periods of ancient... more
The aim of the project “Archaeological and Epigraphic Investigations
in theTigrayRegion (1stmillenniumBC-7th centuryAD)” is the study
of ancient Ethiopian civilisations. This includes transition between
different periods of ancient history, the transformation of the natural
environment and types of human settlements.
The site ofWakarida, chosen as the rst study area, is situated near the
eastern edge of the Tigray plateau, dominating the Afar depression.
The site, covering some 9 ha, was probably a small city or town during
the middle and late Aksumite periods (3rd-7th centuries AD).
Two areas, excavated between 2011 and 2014, revealed typically
Aksumite structures whose ground plans and construction techniques
are similar to those of the large complexes of Matara or Aksum,
although their dimensions are smaller. Though situated far from the
capital and main commercial routes, the site of Wakarida was not
isolated. Several sites,mostly smaller, have been discovered during the
regional survey, mostly dating to the same period, and it seems that
Wakarida was a centre of local power. Some archaeological remains
could date to earlier periods and they are now under study.
in theTigrayRegion (1stmillenniumBC-7th centuryAD)” is the study
of ancient Ethiopian civilisations. This includes transition between
different periods of ancient history, the transformation of the natural
environment and types of human settlements.
The site ofWakarida, chosen as the rst study area, is situated near the
eastern edge of the Tigray plateau, dominating the Afar depression.
The site, covering some 9 ha, was probably a small city or town during
the middle and late Aksumite periods (3rd-7th centuries AD).
Two areas, excavated between 2011 and 2014, revealed typically
Aksumite structures whose ground plans and construction techniques
are similar to those of the large complexes of Matara or Aksum,
although their dimensions are smaller. Though situated far from the
capital and main commercial routes, the site of Wakarida was not
isolated. Several sites,mostly smaller, have been discovered during the
regional survey, mostly dating to the same period, and it seems that
Wakarida was a centre of local power. Some archaeological remains
could date to earlier periods and they are now under study.
Research Interests: Geomorphology, Pottery (Archaeology), Landscape Archaeology, Ethiopian Studies, African History, and 9 moreArchitectural History, Archaeological GIS, Remote sensing and GIS applications in Landscape Research, Aksumite Archaeology, African Archaeology, Ethiopian archaeology, Terraces landscapes, Aksum, and Tigray
Sharing the water flow from qanāts is important for many communities past and present and can often involve complex water-share systems. Studying and comparing historical sources and vernacular practices can help us to understand how this... more
Sharing the water flow from qanāts is important for many communities past and present and can often involve complex water-share systems. Studying and comparing historical sources and vernacular practices can help us to understand how this has and still is accomplished. Did the technical requirements of qanāts result in similar water management methods in different regions and at different times? Can modern practices of water management help to understand ancient practices and their evolution? Water sharing in many regions is done from memory without the help of archives; can we understand the historical trajectory of these sharing systems by studying textual documents relating to water management in ancient literate societies? Comparing the social systems of irrigation associated with qanāts, in North Africa and the Middle East, could be a significant step forward toward understanding the social context(s) for the digging and maintenance of qanāts. It would also contribute towards an understanding of the evolutionary path of qanāt systems and the social reasons behind their development or abandonment.
Research Interests: Ethnoarchaeology, North Africa Studies, Iranian Studies, Arabian Gulf, Yemen, and 14 moreIrrigation water Management, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Water Management, Yemen Ethnography, Arabian Peninsula, Sustainable Water Management, Qanats, Qanat systems, Sundials, Foggaras, Khattara, Clepsidra, Qanat Technology, Stargazing, and Falaj
In semi-arid to arid environments, water is the most constraining resource for agricultural communities. In Southeast Arabia (Sultanate of Oman and United Arab Emirates), the demographic growth and the increase of sites at the beginning... more
In semi-arid to arid environments, water is the most constraining resource for agricultural communities. In Southeast Arabia (Sultanate of Oman and United Arab Emirates), the demographic growth and the increase of sites at the beginning of the Iron Age II (1100–600 b.c.) is generally attributed to the development of groundwater harvesting techniques, and more precisely to qanāt technology. While only little is known on the origin of this technology, even less is known about other hydraulic techniques, which could have been used as a complementary source of water. An irrigation system, recently discovered near an Iron Age settlement in the oasis of Masāfī (UAE) was studied thanks to the combination of various methods—archaeology, geoarchaeology/micromorphology, spatial analysis, and chronology—which have allowed us to identify the technological development of small-scale runoff farming and to link this practice to social as well as environmental issues.
Research Interests:
Presentation of pre-Islamic dams and water works in the Yemeni highlands, and their connection to the tribal powers.
Research Interests: Near Eastern Archaeology, Yemen (History), Irrigation Water Management (Archaeology), Yemen History, Ancient Irrigation Systems, and 9 moreArabian/Persian Gulf Archaeology, Arabian Peninsula, Arabian Peninsula in Antiquity, History of Pre-Islamic Arabia, South Arabian Culture, Ancient South Arabia, South Arabian Archaeology, Yemen archaeology, and Ancient Arabia
Les prospections menées dans la région d’Âdam (Sultanat d’Oman) lors des quatre premières campagnes (2007 à 2010) ont permis une évaluation de la densité et de la variété des vestiges archéologiques de cette zone située sur les marges du... more
Les prospections menées dans la région d’Âdam (Sultanat d’Oman) lors des quatre premières campagnes (2007 à 2010) ont permis une évaluation de la densité et de la variété des vestiges archéologiques de cette zone située sur les marges du désert du Rub‘ al-Khâlî. Son peuplement remonte au Néolithique et les établissements se succèdent – avec une intensité variée – de la fin de la Préhistoire jusqu’aux époques historiques. Les principaux sites prospectés et/ou sondés sont présentés période par période ; les premières découvertes de terrain et les études préliminaires apportent une lumière nouvelle sur cette région jusqu’alors inexplorée.
The surveys that took place in the region of Âdam (Sultanate of Oman) during the four first campaigns (2007 to 2010) allowed us to evaluate the density and the variety of archaeological remains that are found in this area (situated on the margins of the Rub‘ al-Khâlî desert). Its population can be traced back to Neolithic and from then on, settlements follow each other - with varied intensity - between the end of Prehistory and historical periods. The main sites that were prospected and/or drilled are presented by period. The first discoveries made on the ground and the preliminary studies we have made bring a new light upon this unknown region.
The surveys that took place in the region of Âdam (Sultanate of Oman) during the four first campaigns (2007 to 2010) allowed us to evaluate the density and the variety of archaeological remains that are found in this area (situated on the margins of the Rub‘ al-Khâlî desert). Its population can be traced back to Neolithic and from then on, settlements follow each other - with varied intensity - between the end of Prehistory and historical periods. The main sites that were prospected and/or drilled are presented by period. The first discoveries made on the ground and the preliminary studies we have made bring a new light upon this unknown region.
Research Interests:
This article presents the results of recent research carried out by the French Archaeological Mission in Wakarida, eastern Tigray, Ethiopia. Excavations revealed a small city dating from the middle and late Aksumite period (AD... more
This article presents the results of recent research carried out by the French Archaeological Mission in Wakarida, eastern Tigray, Ethiopia. Excavations revealed a small city dating from the middle and late Aksumite period (AD 350/400–800/850). Despite a relative scarcity of imported items in Wakarida, the local architecture and pottery allowed the team to highlight several parallels with the architecture and pottery collected in the capital, Aksum, suggesting strong elements of cultural unity throughout the Aksumite kingdom.
Research Interests:
Wadi Bayhan is located on the edge of the Ramlat as Sab’atayn desert (Yemen) and constituted the core of the preislamic kingdom of Qataban. During the 1st millennium B.C., floodwaters caused by summer rainfall were diverted into the... more
Wadi Bayhan is located on the edge of the Ramlat as Sab’atayn desert (Yemen) and constituted the core of the preislamic kingdom of Qataban. During the 1st millennium B.C., floodwaters caused by summer rainfall were diverted into the fields. Several irrigation systems of this kind were spread all along the valley. The aim of the present paper is to show the tension between political body and local populations for the control of water in Wadi Bayhan. I will argue that water was generally managed at a local scale but the kings of Qataban have tried to take the reins of the irrigation system when their power strengthened. They issued decrees regulating the use of water and space or the maintenance of hydraulic structures and fields. The kings also got involved in the construction of irrigation structures. To support my arguments, I have used antique inscriptions, engraved on rocks or stone blocks, which make reference to water management.
Research Interests: South Asian Studies, Irrigation, Late Antiquity, Yemen, Epigraphic South Arabian, Sabaean, and 17 moreAntiquity, Ancient Irrigation Systems, South Arabian Epigraphy, Arabian Peninsula in Antiquity, History of Pre-Islamic Arabia, Qataban, Water control and State development, South Arabian Archaeology, Ancient History of Yemen, Dam Management, Sabaean studies, Sabaean Kingdom, Canals, Human Niche Construction, Ancient Laws on Waters, Floodwater for Irrigation, and Floodwater Management
This paper aims to review the evidence of irrigation structures in Southeast Arabia during the Bronze Age (c. 3200–1300 B.C.) and the Iron Age (c. 1300–300 B.C.). The preliminary results of the excavation of hydraulic structures in Masāfī... more
This paper aims to review the evidence of irrigation structures in Southeast Arabia during the Bronze Age (c. 3200–1300 B.C.) and the Iron Age (c. 1300–300 B.C.). The preliminary results of the excavation of hydraulic structures in Masāfī (United Arab Emirates) are also presented. While in Arabia many studies have been devoted to the qanāt technology, and especially its origin, it is demonstrated that these structures are badly dated. Conversely, it appears that wells played a significant role in water supply during the pre-Islamic period as well as in the present day.
Research Interests: Hydrology, Hydraulics, Bronze Age Archaeology, Arabian Gulf, Groundwater Hydrology, and 9 moreBronze Age (Archaeology), Hydraulic systems and structures, Iron Age, Arabian/Persian Gulf Archaeology, Arabian Peninsula in Antiquity, South Arabian Culture, Umm an-Nar, South Arabian Archaeology, and Qanat systems
The traditional methods of water management are still used in dam (Oman) and have been investigated as part of this study, which focuses on falaj al-Māleḥ. Each user possesses water shares – corresponding to time periods – distributed... more
The traditional methods of water management are still used in dam (Oman) and have been investigated as part
of this study, which focuses on falaj al-Māleḥ. Each user possesses water shares – corresponding to time periods
– distributed along a water cycle. On the field, the organization of the cycle, the techniques for diverting water
into the fields as well as the sundial used to time the shares have been studied. The functioning of the latter
proved to be more complex that what previously stated in other oases. This study also reveals that the water
shares are managed in a very flexible way, as they can be exchanged or rented. The inhabitants of the oasis
don’t take into account a spatial order to allocate water. When it is his turn, each of them can use its share on
the field he wants. This method allows the system to be more flexible and favours the cultivation of annual crops.
From a technical point of view however it presents some inconvenient: water must sometimes travel over an
important distance to pass from a field to another and this can penalize some shareholders. To cope with this
problem, the volume of water that corresponds to each water share must be taken into account.
of this study, which focuses on falaj al-Māleḥ. Each user possesses water shares – corresponding to time periods
– distributed along a water cycle. On the field, the organization of the cycle, the techniques for diverting water
into the fields as well as the sundial used to time the shares have been studied. The functioning of the latter
proved to be more complex that what previously stated in other oases. This study also reveals that the water
shares are managed in a very flexible way, as they can be exchanged or rented. The inhabitants of the oasis
don’t take into account a spatial order to allocate water. When it is his turn, each of them can use its share on
the field he wants. This method allows the system to be more flexible and favours the cultivation of annual crops.
From a technical point of view however it presents some inconvenient: water must sometimes travel over an
important distance to pass from a field to another and this can penalize some shareholders. To cope with this
problem, the volume of water that corresponds to each water share must be taken into account.
Research Interests:
Despite the rapid modernization of the country, oases are still a living heritage in Oman. Many Omanis possess a garden in their hometown even though they live in Musqat. Qanāts, locally called aflāj (sing. falaj), supply many of the... more
Despite the rapid modernization of the country, oases are still a living heritage in Oman. Many Omanis possess a garden in their hometown even though they live in Musqat. Qanāts, locally called aflāj (sing. falaj), supply many of the oases, such as dam. The flow of a falaj has to be shared day and night: each user possesses water shares — corresponding to time periods — distributed according to a water cycle (dawrān). The traditional methods of water management are still used in dam, located on the southern piedmont of the al-Hajar mountains. They have been investigated as part of this study, which focuses on falaj al-MāleΉ. On the field, the sundial used to time the water shares has been studied, as well as the organization of the dawrān and the techniques for diverting the water into the fields. The functioning of the sundial proved to be more complex than was previously observed in other oases. This study also reveals that the water shares are managed in a very flexible way, as they can be exchanged or rented. The spatial distribution of water has been studied and mapped with a GPS device. It shows that the inhabitants of the oasis do not take into account a spatial order to allocate water. When it is his turn, each shareholder can use its share on the field he wants. This method allows the system to be more flexible and favours the cultivation of annual crops. From a technical point of view, however, it presents some inconvenience: water must sometimes travel over a considerable distance to pass from one field to another and this can penalize some shareholders. To cope with this problem, the volume of water that corresponds to each water share must be taken into account.
Research Interests:
This article presents the results of the excavation of a residence dated between the second and fourth centuries AD, constructed over the ruins of the South Arabian town of Makaynûn, in central Hadramawt (Yemen). The building yielded a... more
This article presents the results of the excavation of a residence dated between the second and fourth centuries AD, constructed over the ruins of the South Arabian town of Makaynûn, in central Hadramawt (Yemen). The building yielded a large quantity of material including objects proving contacts between the central Hadramawt and regions located to the north-east, such as central Oman, the Gulf area and India.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The Date Palm : Origin and Cultivation in the Middle East and in Egypt Special Issue of Revue d'Ethnoécologie edited by Margareta Tengberg, Vincent Battesti et Claire Newton Le palmier dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L.) constitue une... more
The Date Palm : Origin and Cultivation in the Middle East and in Egypt
Special Issue of Revue d'Ethnoécologie edited by Margareta Tengberg, Vincent Battesti et Claire Newton
Le palmier dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L.) constitue une espèce emblématique des régions chaudes et arides de l’Ancien Monde où il est cultivé depuis la Préhistoire. Malgré son rôle économique primordial, en tant qu’espèce nourricière et élément structurant dans les cultures en palmeraie, son origine et l’histoire ancienne de son exploitation avaient jusqu’alors fait l’objet de très peu de recherches. Dans ce numéro spécial, nous avons rassemblé onze textes qui abordent ces thématiques de perspectives très diverses, reflétant les travaux des auteurs venant d’horizons disciplinaires variés. Les questions centrales sont celles de la domestication et de la culture ancienne du palmier dattier, approchées par l’archéologie, l’archéobotanique, la morphométrie géométrique, la génétique et l’iconographie. À ces contributions percevant le palmier dattier dans une perspective historique s’ajoutent deux textes portant sur la gestion de l’agrobiodiversité et des ressources en eau dans des palmeraies actuelles en Oman et en Égypte.
Special Issue of Revue d'Ethnoécologie edited by Margareta Tengberg, Vincent Battesti et Claire Newton
Le palmier dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L.) constitue une espèce emblématique des régions chaudes et arides de l’Ancien Monde où il est cultivé depuis la Préhistoire. Malgré son rôle économique primordial, en tant qu’espèce nourricière et élément structurant dans les cultures en palmeraie, son origine et l’histoire ancienne de son exploitation avaient jusqu’alors fait l’objet de très peu de recherches. Dans ce numéro spécial, nous avons rassemblé onze textes qui abordent ces thématiques de perspectives très diverses, reflétant les travaux des auteurs venant d’horizons disciplinaires variés. Les questions centrales sont celles de la domestication et de la culture ancienne du palmier dattier, approchées par l’archéologie, l’archéobotanique, la morphométrie géométrique, la génétique et l’iconographie. À ces contributions percevant le palmier dattier dans une perspective historique s’ajoutent deux textes portant sur la gestion de l’agrobiodiversité et des ressources en eau dans des palmeraies actuelles en Oman et en Égypte.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Production-based economy was adopted by populations of southern Arabia in the 4th and 3rd millennia BC, much later than the Fertile Crescent. Consumed plants were of Mediterranean origin, hence the influence of the Near-East. On both... more
Production-based economy was adopted by populations of southern Arabia in the 4th and 3rd millennia BC, much later than the Fertile Crescent. Consumed plants were of Mediterranean origin, hence the influence of the Near-East. On both sides of the peninsula the beginnings of agriculture coincided with the implementation of irrigation systems, which varied from region to region but were nevertheless well adapted to local environmental conditions. Far from threatening the fragile environment, these agro-systems contributed to its stabilization, and increased biodiversity. Moreover, they safeguarded population survival for several millennia and produced crop surpluses, thereby promoting the emergence of complex societies in the arid margins of the Rub‘ al-Khâlî.
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Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
"Preliminary results of the excavation of several structures on the archaeological site of Hasi (Highlands, Yemen) : - Building A (Area A) - Dwellings (Area C) - Sounding in a probable mosque (Area D). The site proved to be... more
"Preliminary results of the excavation of several structures on the archaeological site of Hasi (Highlands, Yemen) :
- Building A (Area A)
- Dwellings (Area C)
- Sounding in a probable mosque (Area D).
The site proved to be occupied from the turn of the Christian era, down to the Islamic period.
"
- Building A (Area A)
- Dwellings (Area C)
- Sounding in a probable mosque (Area D).
The site proved to be occupied from the turn of the Christian era, down to the Islamic period.
"
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Near Eastern Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, and 10 moreGeoarchaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Archaeological Method & Theory, Medieval Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic, Oasis, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, Glacial Refugia, and Oases development
Research Interests: Archaeology, Remote Sensing, Ethnoarchaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Iranian Archaeology, and 10 moreIranian Studies, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Spanish archaeology, Environmental Sustainability, Remote sensing and GIS applications in Landscape Research, OSL dating, United Arab Emirates, Sustainable Water Management, Qanats, Qanat systems, and Saudi Arabian Archaeology
This book is an invitation to travel back in time to discover the heritage of the United Arab Emirates. Just like an archaeologist, you must closely observe the objects and models presented in Sharjah and Mleiha museums, to reconstruct... more
This book is an invitation to travel back in time to discover the heritage of the United Arab Emirates. Just like an archaeologist, you must closely observe the objects and models presented in Sharjah and Mleiha museums, to reconstruct the history of the Emirate of Sharjah.
Your investigation will take you from the Stone Age to the end of Antiquity in search of the ways of life, customs and beliefs of past societies. It will also allow you to discover the role of the archaeologist and how they work.
Your investigation will take you from the Stone Age to the end of Antiquity in search of the ways of life, customs and beliefs of past societies. It will also allow you to discover the role of the archaeologist and how they work.
Research Interests:
The Masafi oasis, in the ophiolithic al Hajar mountains (United Arab Emirates, Fujairah), has been excavated since 2007 in the framework of the French archaeological mission (Dir. S. Méry). The excavations have revealed an occupation... more
The Masafi oasis, in the ophiolithic al Hajar mountains (United Arab Emirates, Fujairah), has been excavated since 2007 in the framework of the French archaeological mission (Dir. S. Méry). The excavations have revealed an occupation spanning from the Iron Age to the late Islamic Period, structured on the exploitation of agro-pastoral products and copper. To understand the environmental context and subsistence strategies, geoarchaeological test pits have been dug in the palm grove since 2014. While they have revealed cycles of cultivation and abandonment for the last 3000 years, the farming activities themselves remain poorly understood and the agrarian patterns need to be clarified. The present study aims to improve our knowledge of ancient agrosystems by identifying new proxies in soils to 1-characterize phases of occupation versus abandonment, 2-estimate soil fertility, implementation and nature of soil enrichment products, and the impact of agriculture on soil resilience, 3-assess land cover, 4-detect paleo-pollutions linked with human activities. To this end, shallow test pits were dug in the current Masafi oasis in abandoned areas and in cultivated plots possibly representative of ancient agricultural landscapes: irrigated plots with palm trees, fruit trees or cereals; plots with manure, ashes, or carbonates. Systematic samples were taken for laboratory studies: elementary and isotopic analyses, loss on ignition, pH, electrical conductivity, magnetic susceptibility. Statistical analyses allowed for the creation of agricultural facies characteristic of agricultural modes. This reference collection is a powerful analytical tool to study agrosystems as a whole, from socio-environmental dynamics (identification of cultivated soils and agrarian patterns) to technical systems (agricultural strategies, gestures and heritage). This will be applied to the study of the 3000 years old Masafi oasis, with the aim to enlarge its use to ancient agricultural soils in semi-arid environments in Arabia.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Les oasis, espaces de polyculture intensive irrigués en milieu aride à semi-aride, sont caractérisées à la fois par des conditions physiques naturelles contraignantes mais aussi par les choix et mises en oeuvre anthropiques qui les... more
Les oasis, espaces de polyculture intensive irrigués en milieu aride à semi-aride, sont caractérisées à la fois par des conditions physiques naturelles contraignantes mais aussi par les choix et mises en oeuvre anthropiques qui les façonnent. Ces espaces sont donc à l'équilibre entre différents facteurs socio-environnementaux : contraintes morpho-climatiques, variabilité des ressources, mais aussi dynamiques de peuplements, système socio-économique et développement technologique. L'oasis constitue un lieu privilégié pour l'enregistrement et la lecture des trajectoires homme-milieu au cours des millénaires.
Dans le sud de la Péninsule Arabique, les études botaniques réalisées sur les sites archéologiques de l’Age du Bronze ont conclu à l’émergence des oasis à la fin du 4ème mill. avant notre ère, en y reconnaissant le modèle actuel de polyculture sous palmier dattier1. Depuis, peu d’évolutions ont été détectées dans ce pattern. Pourtant très peu d’espaces et de sols agricoles ont été fouillés et notre vision de l’évolution de ces agrosystèmes reste partielle. Il apparait alors nécessaire de réinvestir ces oasis et de récolter de nouvelles données qui permettront de compléter notre vision de ces paysages et de rediscuter de ce modèle d’émergence et d’évolution.
L’oasis de Masafi est fouillée depuis 2007 dans le cadre de la Mission archéologique Française aux Emirats Arabes Unis (dir. S. Méry). Ces fouilles ont permis la découverte de vestiges de l’Age du Bronze et de l’époque Islamique tardive mais surtout d’une occupation importante de l'Age du Fer, qui semble s’être structurée autour d’un espace central irrigué et cultivé2. L’ouverture de sondages géoarchéologiques au sein de la zone agricole actuelle, menée depuis 2014 et aujourd’hui dans le cadre de l’ANR OASIWAT3 (dir. L. Purdue), a mis en évidence des phases d’emprises et de déprises agraires synchrones ou non aux différentes occupations connues. A travers l’analyse d’une de ces séquences stratigraphiques, notre approche vise à mieux caractériser ces phases et à approfondir les interprétations archéologiques en terme de gestion des sols. Des référentiels ont été construits sur le terrain et une étude mêlant analyses pédo-sédimentaires (pertes au feu 30, 105, 450 et 950°C ; pH et conductivité électrique ; susceptibilité magnétique) et géochimiques (ICP-OES) a été menée en laboratoire.
Dans le sud de la Péninsule Arabique, les études botaniques réalisées sur les sites archéologiques de l’Age du Bronze ont conclu à l’émergence des oasis à la fin du 4ème mill. avant notre ère, en y reconnaissant le modèle actuel de polyculture sous palmier dattier1. Depuis, peu d’évolutions ont été détectées dans ce pattern. Pourtant très peu d’espaces et de sols agricoles ont été fouillés et notre vision de l’évolution de ces agrosystèmes reste partielle. Il apparait alors nécessaire de réinvestir ces oasis et de récolter de nouvelles données qui permettront de compléter notre vision de ces paysages et de rediscuter de ce modèle d’émergence et d’évolution.
L’oasis de Masafi est fouillée depuis 2007 dans le cadre de la Mission archéologique Française aux Emirats Arabes Unis (dir. S. Méry). Ces fouilles ont permis la découverte de vestiges de l’Age du Bronze et de l’époque Islamique tardive mais surtout d’une occupation importante de l'Age du Fer, qui semble s’être structurée autour d’un espace central irrigué et cultivé2. L’ouverture de sondages géoarchéologiques au sein de la zone agricole actuelle, menée depuis 2014 et aujourd’hui dans le cadre de l’ANR OASIWAT3 (dir. L. Purdue), a mis en évidence des phases d’emprises et de déprises agraires synchrones ou non aux différentes occupations connues. A travers l’analyse d’une de ces séquences stratigraphiques, notre approche vise à mieux caractériser ces phases et à approfondir les interprétations archéologiques en terme de gestion des sols. Des référentiels ont été construits sur le terrain et une étude mêlant analyses pédo-sédimentaires (pertes au feu 30, 105, 450 et 950°C ; pH et conductivité électrique ; susceptibilité magnétique) et géochimiques (ICP-OES) a été menée en laboratoire.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Unpublished report displaying the results of the 4th season of the French archaeological mission in the ancient kingdom of Qataban (Yemen): mapping and excavation of the archaeological site of Hasi; survey of the surrounding area.
Research Interests:
Rencontres internationales d’archéologie et d’histoire d’Antibes (France) Tuesday 10 October to Thursday 12 October 2017 From refugia to oases: living in arid environments from prehistoric times to the present day Organizing committee... more
Rencontres internationales d’archéologie et d’histoire d’Antibes (France)
Tuesday 10 October to Thursday 12 October 2017
From refugia to oases: living in arid environments from prehistoric times to the present day
Organizing committee
Academic: L. Purdue, J. Charbonnier, L. Khalidi (University Côte d’Azur, CNRS, CEPAM, France)
Administrative: A.-M. Gomez and M. Benou (University Côte d’Azur, CNRS, CEPAM, France)
The history of human occupation in arid environments has always been inextricably tied to the history of water. From prehistory to now, populations have continuously occupied isolated spaces in proximity to watering holes, or refugia, later modifying their environments in the form of artificial niches, or oases. The objective of this conference is to investigate the natural formation of these spaces, followed by their construction and evolution as socio-economic, political and agricultural entities. The theme of this conference contributes directly to current debates on the preservation and integrated exploitation of this continually changing human heritage.
Tuesday 10 October to Thursday 12 October 2017
From refugia to oases: living in arid environments from prehistoric times to the present day
Organizing committee
Academic: L. Purdue, J. Charbonnier, L. Khalidi (University Côte d’Azur, CNRS, CEPAM, France)
Administrative: A.-M. Gomez and M. Benou (University Côte d’Azur, CNRS, CEPAM, France)
The history of human occupation in arid environments has always been inextricably tied to the history of water. From prehistory to now, populations have continuously occupied isolated spaces in proximity to watering holes, or refugia, later modifying their environments in the form of artificial niches, or oases. The objective of this conference is to investigate the natural formation of these spaces, followed by their construction and evolution as socio-economic, political and agricultural entities. The theme of this conference contributes directly to current debates on the preservation and integrated exploitation of this continually changing human heritage.