History of human settlement
Since 1991 with the discovery of the legendary iceman, “Ötzi,” the transregional importance in terms of its cultural-historical value has become increasingly evident. Recent archeological investigations at Beilstein near Obergurgl have proven the arrival of humans right after the last ice age more than 9,500 years ago.
History of human settlement – a short chronology
For many years, the inner alpine region had been lacking evidence of ancient human settlement and hence was considered as uninhabited. Only since the discovery of Ötzi has archeological research taken off. Since then, multiple prehistoric discoveries were made in the Ötz valley.
From the findings, we know now that humans arrived at the end of the last ice age in the inner Ötz valley coming from the South. To better understand the history of human settlement in the inner Ötz valley, a list of scientifically proven data is given below.
20,000 B.C. | Peak of the last ice age |
8,000 B.C. | End of the last ice age, rapid melt down of enormous glaciers |
7,500 B.C. | Settlements established around Obergurgl/Beilstein and close to Vent „Hohler Stein,” site of a summer camp of hunters |
5,000 B.C. | Rise of agrlicultural practices in the Alpine region |
4,500 B.C. | Verified human activity at the marsh on Mount Rofen (2.760 m) |
4,300 B.C. | Proof of slash-and-burn agriculture and pasture farming on the Gurgler alpine pasture/Obergurgl (deduced from the study of pollen) |
4,000 B.C. | Settlements around Vent/Gurgl originating in the South |
3,600 B.C. | Ötzi dies on the Tisenjoch |
2,000 B.C. | More settlers arriving and more intense farming in the valleys |
800 B.C. | Reduced use of high elevation pastures due to climate |
500 B.C. | Diffused settlement of Raetic groups |
200 A.D. | Roman times |
600 A.D. | Intrusion of Germanic tribes |
1200 A.D. | Forest clearance for settlement |
1400 A.D. | Human settlement in the various valleys has been established |
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