Les structures pastorales des massifs du Sancy et du Cézallier (Puy-de-Dôme, France)

In the Volcanic ranges of the Sancy and the Cézalier structures of a very unsusal type can be found in strong concentrations, they are little known at this date and rare in neighbouring ranges. Their general form is very typical : An row of adjacent individual units,partially encased in the ground, each opening onto a acces corridoor. Depending on their location, a variety of shapes and sizescan be observed. These structures have however not drawn the attention of many researchers. Up to date little field work has been undertaken. A thorough inventory coupled with a dimensional analysis was carried out on these structures between 2012 and 2016. This research has considerabley expanded the corpus, whilst corroborating their link with pastoral farming of the highlands. Their specific use remains to be defined therefore calling for futher resaerch. Another major priority being their presservation from modern mechanical farming and logging.