Anthropisation of the Subterranean Environment

For prehistoric societies, the subterranean world was an extension of their surface territories, as early as the first phases of prehistory. In addition to the occupation of the entrance of caves, and in parallel with the graphic expressions that are the subject of particular attention in prehistory, the archaeological record is rich with evidence of  occupation and activity in deeper underground environment by human groups, whether as a collective or individual behavior. These remains (e.g. dry-stone structures, broken concretions, hearths, mouchages, ichnites, extraction of raw materials, manuports, burials, etc.), reflect different perceptions and appropriations of this very special environment.

Recent discoveries, multidisciplinary and multi-proxy approaches, combined with the development of new methodologies, have advanced our knowledge and raised new questions about the relationship between humans and the subterranean world. This session will look at the diversity of prehistoric human behaviors, from those that can be studied through the recognition of faint traces to those that have led to transformative changes of the underground landscape.

Keywords: (deep) karst; paleospeleology; pyrotechnology; speleofacts.