'Background noise' and landscape exploitation in the Late Iron Age Andalusian countryside

Abstract

In this paper we present the results from a survey carried out from 2000 to 2003 in the Guadiana Menor valley (Jaen province, Spain). The sampling strategy was designed to explore the presence of archaeological finds in very different landscape units, from the floodplains to the uncultivated slopes of the Cazorla massif. Field survey revealed very high contrasts in fi nd densities, suggesting different patterns of land use. On the valley floor we recorded a weak carpet-like pattern of sherds dating from the Iron Age to Roman times. Its distribution suggests intensive agricultural activities such as manuring in a context of increasing pressure on resources during the Romanization process. In the highland area, the much more scarce evidence seems to be connected with pastoral activity, intensive farming of small valleys, and control over strategic mountain passes. We will here present methodological issues relating to the field survey and reliability problems raised by erosion and land use history of the study area.