This paper presents the results of an international research aimed at investigating the ancient landscape of the Mali Kras plateau, a sector of northern Istria (southwestern Slovenia). The remains of two main protohistoric hill forts, Mali Kras and Socerb, and a few minor sites were already reported from this area. A cemetery, associated with Socerb hill fort, was in use between the sixth century BC and the first century AD. Airborne LiDAR remote sensing of Mali Kras plateau has allowed to identify several unknown archaeological features, ranging from approximately square features (30 × 30 m) to larger enclosures with different shapes, very long linear features and stone mounds. The elaboration and digitization of high-definition remote sensing data compared with historical cartography, field surveys, targeted small-scale excavations and thermoluminescence dating have been performed in order to decode the complex archaeological palimpsest. The square structures can be attributed to Middle-Recent Bronze Age on the basis of pottery finds. These structures are located close to natural passages from the plateau to the gulf of Trieste, in areas with low visibility and scarcity of soil, which were traditionally used for grazing activities. The other identified enclosures, some of them sharing a similar chronology, were also probably used for pastoral activities but for other purposes since their shape and size are different. Two main long drystone walls define the southeastern sector of Mali Kras plateau in correspondence of the most accessible entrance to the area. The preliminary data and comparisons with similar structures suggest these walls could correspond to protohistoric linear boundaries built to delimit grazing or agricultural areas under direct control of the nearby settlements. The enclosures identified at Mali Kras plateau, most probably connected to herding activities, and perhaps the long linear walls too, could reflect the development of new husbandry practices in the Middle-Recent Bronze Age in the karst areas of the north Adriatic hinterland, such as observed in the alpine territory.

中文翻译：

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机载LiDAR揭示了伊斯特拉北部的原史牧区景观：马里克拉斯高原（斯洛文尼亚西南部）的山堡，围墙和长条线性墙

本文介绍了一项国际研究的结果，该研究旨在调查伊斯特拉北部（斯洛文尼亚西南部）马里克拉斯高原的古代景观。该地区已有两个主要的史前山堡遗迹，马里克拉斯（Mali Kras）和索塞尔布（Socerb），以及一些较小的遗址。公元前六世纪至公元一世纪之间，使用了与Socerb山堡相关的墓地。马里克拉斯高原的机载LiDAR遥感技术可以识别出一些未知的考古特征，范围从大约正方形特征（30×30 m）到具有不同形状，非常长的线性特征和石丘的较大围栏。将高清遥感数据与历史制图，实地调查，进行了针对性的小规模发掘和热致发光测年，以便对复杂的考古学最脆弱的现象进行解码。根据陶器发现，方形结构可归因于中古青铜时代。这些结构位于从高原到的里雅斯特海湾的自然通道附近，在可见度低和土壤稀缺的地区，传统上用于放牧活动。其他确定的围墙，其中一些具有相似的年代顺序，也可能用于牧民活动，但由于其形状和大小不同，还用于其他目的。两个主要的长干石墙定义了马里克拉斯高原的东​​南部，与该地区最容易进入的入口相对应。初步数据和与类似结构的比较表明，这些墙可能对应于原史的线性边界，该边界是在附近居民点的直接控制下划定放牧或农业区域的边界。在马里·克拉斯高原发现的围栏很可能与放牧活动有关，也许还有长条线性的围墙，可能反映了亚得里亚海北部腹地喀斯特地区中古青铜时代新的饲养方式的发展。在高山地区观察到。