Palaeoglacier margins from the Zanskar Range of the north-western Indian Himalaya are reconstructed through geomorphological mapping and sedimentology. These are dated ilsing Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) techniques on quartz extracted from related fluvioglacial and lacustrine deposits. A glaciated palaeosurface with broad, gentle slopes >280m above river level and high grade metamorphic erratics represents the oldest and most extensive glaciation, the Chandra Stage. This formed an ice-cap with its ice-shed to the south over the High Himalaya. A change from broad glacial troughs to narrow V -shaped gorges along with large subdued moraine ridges and drift/erratic limits defines an extensive valley glaciation, the Batal Stage, with its maximum close to -78.0±12.3ka BP (Oxygen Isotope Stage (OIS) 4). Distinct sets of moraine ridges represent a less extensive glaciation, the Kulti Stage, which is dated to shortly after the global Last Glacial Maximum (OIS 2) and a minor advance, the Sonapani, is represented by sharp crested moraine ridges < 2km from current ice bodies. The change in glacier extent and style from the Chandra Stage to the later glaciations may be related to uplift of more southerly ranges blocking monsoon precipitation and incision of the landscape such that ice reached lower altitudes over shorter horizontal distances. Batal and Kulti Stage Glacier Elevation Indexes (GEls) calculated for this and adjacent areas increase from south-west to the north-east, but decrease again towards the Indus valley, reflecting attenuation of the south-westerly monsoon and possible channelling of westerly depressions along the broad upper Indus valley. GEl values were depressed by ~500m during the Batal Stage and -300m during the Kulti Stage. Six new OSL age estimates from the Zanskar Range greatly improve the glacial chronology of the north-west Himalaya and reinforce the emerging asynchrony between this region and the Central and Eastern Himalaya, which experienced its maximum glaciation during OIS 2 rather than OIS 4. Improved glacier mass balance data, palaeoclimatic proxy data for the summer monsoon and particularly the winter westerlies, and numerical age estimates from Himalayan glaciers are required to explain this asynchronous maximum.

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A travers l’étude de Zaouïat Ahansal (Haut-Atlas central, Maroc) et du Zanskar (Himalaya, Inde), le processus de mondialisation est questionné depuis les espaces les plus marginalisés que sont les vallées enclavées de haute montagne de pays en voie de développement. Ces deux espaces semblent dans une même configuration géohistorique. Contournés par les infrastructures nationales modernes, ils conservent une très forte mortalité infantile et maternelle et un très faible taux d’alphabétisme. Cependant, depuis l’Occident, ils sont considérés comme des paradis agraires. Leur enclavement est valorisé par des activités spécifiques que sont la recherche en sciences sociales, les sports de nature et l’engagement humanitaire. Ils sont ainsi investis par des néo-aventuriers qui désirent se mettre en scène et s’assurer une place de gate-keepers au sein de leur société d’origine. Ces deux vallées deviennent des hétérotopies mondiales ou des espaces matériellement clos miroir des grandes métropoles mondiales. Leur mise en tourisme progressive et le rôle croissant de l’Etat assurent alors la normalisation matérielle des deux vallées. Cependant, une nouvelle catégorie d’acteurs transnationaux que nous qualifions de classe globale conviviale se mobilise autour d’ONG pour maintenir leurs spécificités. Les rapports d’autorité, de droit et de territoire sont renégociés dans un cadre cosmopolite pour maintenir la diversialité de ces vallées. Ce projet loin de recevoir le consensus de toutes les populations requiert l’imposition du statut d’aire protégée. Les deux hautes vallées conservent alors leur statut d’hétérotopie, leur enclavement matériel étant prolongé par un enclavement idéel. / Through the study of Zaouiat Ahansal (Central High Atlas, Morocco) and Zanskar (Himalaya, India), the process of globalization has been discussed for the most marginalized areas that are the landlocked valleys of high mountain of developing countries. These two areas appear in the same geohistorical configuration. Bypassed by modern national infrastructure, these areas retain a very high infant and maternal mortality and very low literacy rates. However, from the western perspective, these valleys are considered as agrarian paradise. Their isolation is then enhanced by specific activities such as research in social sciences, outdoor sports and humanitarian commitment. Zaouïat Ahansal and Zanskar are areas invested by neo-adventurers who want to become gate-keepers between these valleys and their home society. These two valleys become global heterotopias or confined spaces mirroring global cities. Their progressive development through tourism and the growing role of the state ensure standardization of these valleys. However, a new class of transnational actors that we call global convivial class combines with NGOs to maintain specificity into these valleys. The relationship between authority, law and territory are renegotiated in a cosmopolitan frame to maintain “diversiality” of these valleys. This project is far from receiving the consensus of all people and requires the imposition of protected area status. Then, the two high valleys retain their status as heterotopia, their material isolation being extended by an ideal isolation.