Carmo – Armed corps in the mountains

The main thrust of the project, which follows on from Marchalp, is to scientifically reconstruct the human, material and technological conditions surrounding the first ascent of Mount Aiguille in 1492. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the knowledge and techniques involved, in particular the transition from the military expertise required to climb a mountain to the “birth of mountaineering”, and the relationship that past societies had with verticality.

The project will use experimental archaeology (building 15th-century ladders, experimenting with climbing with and without armor) and biomechanical measurements to understand the constraints of climbing in the late Middle Ages.

Local players, associations, municipalities and private individuals will be called upon to create a public event providing cultural and scientific mediation around the first ascent and the relationship between society and the mountains at the end of the 15th century.

A documentary on Mont Aiguille is currently being produced by Ludovic Veltz (Cocoye creative), which will include a scientific dimension. The use of drones and photogrammetry will enable 3D images of the climb to be reconstructed, and the climbers’ efforts to be tracked and measured. These images will make it possible to virtually reconstitute the layout of equipment, ladders and scaffolding across the whole of the Mont, providing a visual rendering as faithful as possible to the reality of 1492. Museographic use could also be envisaged.

Other fields of exploration are planned in parallel with the Mont Aiguille project, aimed at exploring the movement of armed bodies and equipment in the mountains over time, and the ability to visualize and understand space.