Session: #380

Content:

This session aims to stimulate a discussion on the theoretical and methodological premises for the understanding of connectivity dynamics and directionalities within and across high-terrain regions that are usually regarded as natural boundaries. The web of interactions underlying past societies and the trigger for these networks to emerge will be considered within Neolithization context but also in close relation with the landscape and the raw materials procurement strategies.
Many highland regions are acknowledged as communication routes mainly because of the large river valleys crossing the mountains. Here, it is also the smaller mountain passes that will be regarded as network hotspots of key importance. How we detect the evidence for communication between various Early Neolithic groups of people and what were the reasons for such connections/dispersal will thus be discussed on broader (interregional) and smaller scale (local highland terrain).
Were mountains opened for expeditions? Was the exploration of the highland regions, rich in various raw materials, a consequence or a reason for dispersal and migrations? How far did people go in reaching unknown ‘impassable’ territories and what made them settle new lands? How was the connection with their places of origin kept active? Subsistence patterns and various technologies raw materials procurement – among the key factors to investigate the possible trigger for communication and dispersal – will be considered to approach such questions.
We welcome papers concerned with the communication routes and connectivity in mountainous regions that explore any technology and coeval productions based on various raw-materials (clay, flint, bone, etc.), as well as such focused on land use and subsistence patterns.

Session: #380

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