For the
last 10,000 years humans have lived in this elevated area and numerous
elements are proof of his presence over time. All these elements reveal
life whether it be the economic, social or religious aspects.
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Rocks with cup-like
identations testify to the presence of man in the Vanoise region as
early as Neolithic times. Small cavities have been carved into these
rocks high in the mountains (up to 3000 m). Their meaning remains
a mystery: were they part of sacrificial tables, representations of
the constellations in the sky, or sites of worship?
Other more recent carvings can be found on or near paths: Christian
crosses, tools, human figures, animals, etc.
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The
Pierre aux Pieds ("of Pisselerand") is classified
as an ancient monument. It is certainly the most well-known megalith
in Savoie.
At an altitude of 2,750m, this schist rock is engraved with 82 small
feet, 35 pairs of which correspond to women' or children’ sizes
or perhaps to a race of small humans. These footprint carvings probably
date from the Neolithic era, but their signification remains a mystery.
It has been suggested that the general orientation of the feet indicates
a cult of the rising sun or of the glaciated summits (in the same
direction) for their protection and mercy.
There are other engraved rocks nearby, with spirals, cup shapes or
varied drawings (the Stone of the Saints, the Rock of the Masks, the
Stone of the Devil), which are certainly more recent, perhaps medieval. |
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©
PNV / Michel Delmas
The Pierre aux Pieds |
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The Vanoise region:
a crossroads
There are numerous indications of the importance
of man's passage in the Vanoise region: paved paths bordered with
low stone-walls (like the one that crosses over the Vanoise mountain
pass), crosses erected at passes, etc. Indeed, as of the Iron Age,
man has crossed or tried to cross the Alps via the mountain passes.
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PNV / Anne Rambaud |
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Religious practices
The religion of the mountain people has left its
mark in the different remains that dot the countryside: small chapels,
oratories, shrines and crosses on the grassy slopes or along pathways.
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PNV / Patrick Givelet |
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Mines and quarries
The Vanoise region is very rich in minerals: copper
was first used in the Bronze Age. From the 15th century, iron was
used, followed by silver-bearing lead in the 17th century (in particular
in Peisey-Nancroix) and cobalt in the 19th century. Calcium and
gypsum rocks, abundant in the Vanoise region, were widely used especially
for building chalets in the alpine pastures.
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