Draft:Uchaux massif

The Uchaux massif are a massif in the Baronnies. It is located in the departments of Vaucluse, in the communes of Lagarde-Paréol, Uchaux, Sérignan-du-Comtat, Piolenc and Mondragon, and in the Drôme in the commune of Rochegude.

Geography

This massif, covering several hundred hectares, is geologically diverse with its limestone and siliceous strata. On limestone terrains, one can find Kermes oak, white oak, evergreen oak, Aleppo pine, grey-leaved cistus, cade juniper, and common juniper. The siliceous flora includes heathers, strawberry trees, sage-leaved rock rose, and maritime pines.

History

Human presence in the massif dates back to ancient times. In the commune of Sérignan-du-Comtat, scrapers, flints, and knives have been discovered, indicating prehistoric occupation, along with a polished Neolithic axe found in the commune of Rochegude. In the commune of Uchaux, Neolithic habitation is evidenced by finds at Peyrards, including drills, chipped arrowheads, and axes. Roman colonization left significant traces in the hamlet of Farjons, such as vases, pottery, and statuettes. During the Roman Empire, the massif was traversed by the Via Agrippa of the Rhône Valley, although its exact route is still debated.