My research interest is the exploitation of marine shells during The Middle-Upper Paleolithic in Liguria (NW Mediterranean), with a focus on the sites of Balzi Rossi (North-West Italy).
Part of my research consists of the exploration of symbolic behaviour related to the use of shells as personal ornaments, by applying a multi-disciplinary approach, which includes: taxonomic analysis; taphonomic analysis; technological traces; analysis of the use-wear traces; tecno-functional analysis.
I am currently collaborating on S-P-Heritage Project: Lessons for the future from heritage of the past: 400 ka of human population response to major sea-level and climatic changes in NW Mediterranean Sea.
UISPP XIX World Congress conference (Meknes, 2-7 September), 2021
Archaeomalacology, the study of mollusc shells from archaeological sites, is a discipline that st... more Archaeomalacology, the study of mollusc shells from archaeological sites, is a discipline that started in recent times, precisely from the second half of the last century. It's an essential approach to understand the human social and cultural behaviour and the dietary contribution of molluscs to human subsistence economies. Additionally, the taxonomic identi cation of malacological nds allows us to proceed with paleoenvironmental reconstructions, which are particularly useful for the understanding of human and environment interaction. The examinated sites of Larda I and Larda II are located near the town of Gavello (Rovigo), in the southern part of the Veneto Region, situated in north-eastern Italy. The fi rst site is interpreted as a village endowed with bank and is dated between XIV-XIII B.C..The excavations highlighted two main settlement stages: the oldest is dated between the Middle and the Recent Bronze Age, while the second one is dated to the Recent Bronze Age. The site of Larda II is not far from the site of Larda I and the excavations revealed two settlement stages dated to the Recent Bronze Age I. From Larda I 380 (MNI 243) malacological finds have been recovered, while only 15 finds come from the site of Larda II. In the two sites we identi fed a double role for marine and freshwater molluscs. Largely, marine shells have been collected dead from the beach, as suggested by the presence of traces produced by abrasion on beaches or undertows, bioerosion and gastropod predation. Moreover, the presence of natural and anthropic holes on some Glycymeris's umbos, suggests a human desire of collecting empty shells for ornamental purposes. Nevertheless, we cannot exclude a collecting for other purposes: for example, the presence of Glycymeris valves inside a stake-hole, could suggest a deliberate deposition of shells as a wedge. The sample of freshwater molluscs is composed almost exclusively by fragments of Unio, an elongated bivalve that lives submerged in mud, probably collected along the rivers close to the sites. The high degree of fragmentation of the shells, associated with the presence of striations produced by pointed tools on the inner part of the valve, suggests a collecting for dietary purposes and, at least in part, a consumption of raw molluscs. A furthered analysis was conducted on Glycymeris perforated at the umbo. We compared the archaeological holes with those associated with modern specimens collected on the beach. This comparison allowed us to identify the natural origin for almost the totality of the archaeological sample. Nevertheless, for one of the shells, SEM analysis revealed striations around the hole, produced by scraping activity, in order to obtain a perforation. Finally, a yellowish patina was recorded on the natural surface of a naturally perforated Glycymeris valve. The coloration recalls the natural colour of amber, whose manufacturing for the production of beads is documented in the near village of Campestrin during the Late Bronze Age; nevertheless, only future archaeometrical analysis will provide further information on the origin of the substance.
10th Annual Meeting of Italian Association of Zooarchaeology (AIAZ). Siena, 3rd November – 6th November 2021, 2021
We present the results of the study of the Protoaurignacian marine shell assemblage from the site... more We present the results of the study of the Protoaurignacian marine shell assemblage from the site of Riparo Bombrini (Ventimiglia, Province of Imperia), in north-west Italy. Our aim was to detail the strategies of marine resource exploitation and the nature of the interactions between humans and the coastal environment during this phase of the Upper Palaeolithic. To do so, we adopted a multidisciplinary approach, paying special attention to ecological aspects related to coastal environments. We identify two main focuses in the human exploitation of shellfish at the site: the first targeted edible bivalves and large gastropods for consumption, the second targeted shells that were perforated for ornamental purposes. The coexistence of both anthropically perforated shells and ‘caches’ of unperforated shells of the same species indicates that shell beads were manufactured directly in situ. We also identify a propensity to collect morphologically and dimensionally similar shells, demonstrating the existence of preferentially selected categories. From a technological point of view, we recognise the use of different perforation techniques, depending on a shell’s morphology and structure, while use-wear analysis on anthropic perforations underlines the consistent presence of use-wear on the edge near the natural aperture of the shell, as a result of prolonged use. Spatial analysis allowed us to notice a greater concentration of small gastropods used as ornaments in the inner area of the shelter, close to the hearths, suggesting a selected zone for shell working. In contrast, the concentration of shell fragments of edible molluscs (Mytilus) outside the shelter itself points to the deliberate discard of empty shells away from where most of anthropic activities were carried out at the site. Lastly, a taphonomic analysis of microshells (Bittium) yields original data that suggest that these small shells were intentionally brought to the site by humans.
<p>Since the Pleistocene, the Mediterranean is a hot spot for clima... more <p>Since the Pleistocene, the Mediterranean is a hot spot for climate change and human migrations, thus offering the opportunity to investigate how human populations have responded to environmental changes and sea level variations. This is the main topic of the SPHeritage Project (MUR grant: FIRS2019_00040, P.I.: M. Pappalardo) that proposes an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the human-environment interaction (in particular sea level variations) over the last 400,000 years using a combination of micro-invasive methods. The Project is re-investigating the well-known archaeological area of ​​the Balzi Rossi (Ventimiglia, at the border between Italy and France), which represents a unique assemblage of archaeological sites dating to the Palaeolithic, distributed in a geomorphological setting rich of markers of past sea level changes. As most of the local archaeological sequences have been extensively investigated at the beginning of the last century and large part of the deposits removed, we will combine the analyses of materials preserved in museums (including strips of sediments) and the remnants still preserved inside many rockshelters and caves of the archaeological complex. Moreover, our geomorphological survey identified new sedimentary sequences preserving information on relative sea level changes. This approach will permit to obtain innovative data submitting small samples to state-of-the-art methods for dating and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, thus offering the opportunity to better constrain the time and steps of climate change, sea level oscillations, and human settlements. Moreover, data will converge into geoheritage analyses aimed at finding the best practices for promoting and protecting the site. Here, we present an overview of the project and preliminary results from some of the major archaeological sites.</p>
The exploitation of marine molluscs during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic is a topic that has ... more The exploitation of marine molluscs during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic is a topic that has been extensively investigated over the last few years, shedding light on human adaptation in coastal environments. However, such studies mainly focus on the role of marine molluscs in the subsistence practices of the hunter-fisher-gatherers of the Mediterranean Basin. Although small, non-dietary gastropods found in archaeological deposits have the potential to provide important clues regarding past human activities, their role is still little investigated. This research explores the question of whether taphonomy could be useful for the interpretation of these less conspicuous "incidental" shell remains found in archaeomalacological assemblages. In this paper we present the results of a taphonomic study carried out on a total of 314 Bittium shells recovered in the Mousterian and Protoaurignacian levels of Riparo Bombrini, a collapsed rockshelter in the Balzi Rossi Palaeolithic site complex (NW Italy). How did these small, non-dietary gastropods come to be deposited? Are they an unintentional by-product of certain harvesting techniques, or the result of a deliberate gathering? Or, could natural factors be responsible for their presence at the site? To answer these questions, different types of taphonomic processes were considered. Comparing the Bombrini archaeomalacological remains and modern shells accumulated on beaches leads us to propose that the most likely cause of their presence at the site is a correlation between Bittium shells and small sea pebbles, rather than the accidental transport of these shells with algae and seagrasses that could have been brought back to the site.
The exploitation of marine molluscs during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic is a topic that has ... more The exploitation of marine molluscs during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic is a topic that has been extensively investigated over the last few years, shedding light on human adaptation in coastal environments. However, such studies mainly focus on the role of marine molluscs in the subsistence practices of the hunter-fisher-gatherers of the Mediterranean Basin. Although small, non-dietary gastropods found in archaeological deposits have the potential to provide important clues regarding past human activities, their role is still little investigated. This research explores the question of whether taphonomy could be useful for the interpretation of these less conspicuous "incidental" shell remains found in archaeomalacological assemblages. In this paper we present the results of a taphonomic study carried out on a total of 314 Bittium shells recovered in the Mousterian and Protoaurignacian levels of Riparo Bombrini, a collapsed rockshelter in the Balzi Rossi Palaeolithic site complex (NW Italy). How did these small, non-dietary gastropods come to be deposited? Are they an unintentional by-product of certain harvesting techniques, or the result of a deliberate gathering? Or, could natural factors be responsible for their presence at the site? To answer these questions, different types of taphonomic processes were considered. Comparing the Bombrini archaeomalacological remains and modern shells accumulated on beaches leads us to propose that the most likely cause of their presence at the site is a correlation between Bittium shells and small sea pebbles, rather than the accidental transport of these shells with algae and seagrasses that could have been brought back to the site.
UISPP XIX World Congress conference (Meknes, 2-7 September), 2021
Archaeomalacology, the study of mollusc shells from archaeological sites, is a discipline that st... more Archaeomalacology, the study of mollusc shells from archaeological sites, is a discipline that started in recent times, precisely from the second half of the last century. It's an essential approach to understand the human social and cultural behaviour and the dietary contribution of molluscs to human subsistence economies. Additionally, the taxonomic identi cation of malacological nds allows us to proceed with paleoenvironmental reconstructions, which are particularly useful for the understanding of human and environment interaction. The examinated sites of Larda I and Larda II are located near the town of Gavello (Rovigo), in the southern part of the Veneto Region, situated in north-eastern Italy. The fi rst site is interpreted as a village endowed with bank and is dated between XIV-XIII B.C..The excavations highlighted two main settlement stages: the oldest is dated between the Middle and the Recent Bronze Age, while the second one is dated to the Recent Bronze Age. The site of Larda II is not far from the site of Larda I and the excavations revealed two settlement stages dated to the Recent Bronze Age I. From Larda I 380 (MNI 243) malacological finds have been recovered, while only 15 finds come from the site of Larda II. In the two sites we identi fed a double role for marine and freshwater molluscs. Largely, marine shells have been collected dead from the beach, as suggested by the presence of traces produced by abrasion on beaches or undertows, bioerosion and gastropod predation. Moreover, the presence of natural and anthropic holes on some Glycymeris's umbos, suggests a human desire of collecting empty shells for ornamental purposes. Nevertheless, we cannot exclude a collecting for other purposes: for example, the presence of Glycymeris valves inside a stake-hole, could suggest a deliberate deposition of shells as a wedge. The sample of freshwater molluscs is composed almost exclusively by fragments of Unio, an elongated bivalve that lives submerged in mud, probably collected along the rivers close to the sites. The high degree of fragmentation of the shells, associated with the presence of striations produced by pointed tools on the inner part of the valve, suggests a collecting for dietary purposes and, at least in part, a consumption of raw molluscs. A furthered analysis was conducted on Glycymeris perforated at the umbo. We compared the archaeological holes with those associated with modern specimens collected on the beach. This comparison allowed us to identify the natural origin for almost the totality of the archaeological sample. Nevertheless, for one of the shells, SEM analysis revealed striations around the hole, produced by scraping activity, in order to obtain a perforation. Finally, a yellowish patina was recorded on the natural surface of a naturally perforated Glycymeris valve. The coloration recalls the natural colour of amber, whose manufacturing for the production of beads is documented in the near village of Campestrin during the Late Bronze Age; nevertheless, only future archaeometrical analysis will provide further information on the origin of the substance.
10th Annual Meeting of Italian Association of Zooarchaeology (AIAZ). Siena, 3rd November – 6th November 2021, 2021
We present the results of the study of the Protoaurignacian marine shell assemblage from the site... more We present the results of the study of the Protoaurignacian marine shell assemblage from the site of Riparo Bombrini (Ventimiglia, Province of Imperia), in north-west Italy. Our aim was to detail the strategies of marine resource exploitation and the nature of the interactions between humans and the coastal environment during this phase of the Upper Palaeolithic. To do so, we adopted a multidisciplinary approach, paying special attention to ecological aspects related to coastal environments. We identify two main focuses in the human exploitation of shellfish at the site: the first targeted edible bivalves and large gastropods for consumption, the second targeted shells that were perforated for ornamental purposes. The coexistence of both anthropically perforated shells and ‘caches’ of unperforated shells of the same species indicates that shell beads were manufactured directly in situ. We also identify a propensity to collect morphologically and dimensionally similar shells, demonstrating the existence of preferentially selected categories. From a technological point of view, we recognise the use of different perforation techniques, depending on a shell’s morphology and structure, while use-wear analysis on anthropic perforations underlines the consistent presence of use-wear on the edge near the natural aperture of the shell, as a result of prolonged use. Spatial analysis allowed us to notice a greater concentration of small gastropods used as ornaments in the inner area of the shelter, close to the hearths, suggesting a selected zone for shell working. In contrast, the concentration of shell fragments of edible molluscs (Mytilus) outside the shelter itself points to the deliberate discard of empty shells away from where most of anthropic activities were carried out at the site. Lastly, a taphonomic analysis of microshells (Bittium) yields original data that suggest that these small shells were intentionally brought to the site by humans.
<p>Since the Pleistocene, the Mediterranean is a hot spot for clima... more <p>Since the Pleistocene, the Mediterranean is a hot spot for climate change and human migrations, thus offering the opportunity to investigate how human populations have responded to environmental changes and sea level variations. This is the main topic of the SPHeritage Project (MUR grant: FIRS2019_00040, P.I.: M. Pappalardo) that proposes an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the human-environment interaction (in particular sea level variations) over the last 400,000 years using a combination of micro-invasive methods. The Project is re-investigating the well-known archaeological area of ​​the Balzi Rossi (Ventimiglia, at the border between Italy and France), which represents a unique assemblage of archaeological sites dating to the Palaeolithic, distributed in a geomorphological setting rich of markers of past sea level changes. As most of the local archaeological sequences have been extensively investigated at the beginning of the last century and large part of the deposits removed, we will combine the analyses of materials preserved in museums (including strips of sediments) and the remnants still preserved inside many rockshelters and caves of the archaeological complex. Moreover, our geomorphological survey identified new sedimentary sequences preserving information on relative sea level changes. This approach will permit to obtain innovative data submitting small samples to state-of-the-art methods for dating and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, thus offering the opportunity to better constrain the time and steps of climate change, sea level oscillations, and human settlements. Moreover, data will converge into geoheritage analyses aimed at finding the best practices for promoting and protecting the site. Here, we present an overview of the project and preliminary results from some of the major archaeological sites.</p>
The exploitation of marine molluscs during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic is a topic that has ... more The exploitation of marine molluscs during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic is a topic that has been extensively investigated over the last few years, shedding light on human adaptation in coastal environments. However, such studies mainly focus on the role of marine molluscs in the subsistence practices of the hunter-fisher-gatherers of the Mediterranean Basin. Although small, non-dietary gastropods found in archaeological deposits have the potential to provide important clues regarding past human activities, their role is still little investigated. This research explores the question of whether taphonomy could be useful for the interpretation of these less conspicuous "incidental" shell remains found in archaeomalacological assemblages. In this paper we present the results of a taphonomic study carried out on a total of 314 Bittium shells recovered in the Mousterian and Protoaurignacian levels of Riparo Bombrini, a collapsed rockshelter in the Balzi Rossi Palaeolithic site complex (NW Italy). How did these small, non-dietary gastropods come to be deposited? Are they an unintentional by-product of certain harvesting techniques, or the result of a deliberate gathering? Or, could natural factors be responsible for their presence at the site? To answer these questions, different types of taphonomic processes were considered. Comparing the Bombrini archaeomalacological remains and modern shells accumulated on beaches leads us to propose that the most likely cause of their presence at the site is a correlation between Bittium shells and small sea pebbles, rather than the accidental transport of these shells with algae and seagrasses that could have been brought back to the site.
The exploitation of marine molluscs during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic is a topic that has ... more The exploitation of marine molluscs during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic is a topic that has been extensively investigated over the last few years, shedding light on human adaptation in coastal environments. However, such studies mainly focus on the role of marine molluscs in the subsistence practices of the hunter-fisher-gatherers of the Mediterranean Basin. Although small, non-dietary gastropods found in archaeological deposits have the potential to provide important clues regarding past human activities, their role is still little investigated. This research explores the question of whether taphonomy could be useful for the interpretation of these less conspicuous "incidental" shell remains found in archaeomalacological assemblages. In this paper we present the results of a taphonomic study carried out on a total of 314 Bittium shells recovered in the Mousterian and Protoaurignacian levels of Riparo Bombrini, a collapsed rockshelter in the Balzi Rossi Palaeolithic site complex (NW Italy). How did these small, non-dietary gastropods come to be deposited? Are they an unintentional by-product of certain harvesting techniques, or the result of a deliberate gathering? Or, could natural factors be responsible for their presence at the site? To answer these questions, different types of taphonomic processes were considered. Comparing the Bombrini archaeomalacological remains and modern shells accumulated on beaches leads us to propose that the most likely cause of their presence at the site is a correlation between Bittium shells and small sea pebbles, rather than the accidental transport of these shells with algae and seagrasses that could have been brought back to the site.
Uploads
Conference Presentations by Silvia Gazzo
of molluscs to human subsistence economies.
Additionally, the taxonomic identi cation of malacological nds allows us to proceed with paleoenvironmental reconstructions, which are
particularly useful for the understanding of human and environment interaction.
The examinated sites of Larda I and Larda II are located near the town of Gavello (Rovigo), in the southern part of the Veneto Region, situated in north-eastern Italy.
The fi rst site is interpreted as a village endowed with bank and is dated between XIV-XIII B.C..The excavations highlighted two main settlement stages: the oldest is dated between the Middle and the Recent Bronze Age, while the second one is dated to the Recent Bronze Age.
The site of Larda II is not far from the site of Larda I and the excavations revealed two settlement stages dated to the Recent Bronze Age I.
From Larda I 380 (MNI 243) malacological finds have been recovered, while only 15 finds come from the site of Larda II.
In the two sites we identi fed a double role for marine and freshwater molluscs.
Largely, marine shells have been collected dead from the beach, as suggested by the presence of traces produced by abrasion on beaches or undertows, bioerosion and gastropod predation. Moreover, the presence of natural and anthropic holes on some Glycymeris's umbos, suggests a human desire of collecting empty shells for ornamental purposes.
Nevertheless, we cannot exclude a collecting for other purposes: for example, the presence of Glycymeris valves inside a stake-hole, could
suggest a deliberate deposition of shells as a wedge.
The sample of freshwater molluscs is composed almost exclusively by fragments of Unio, an elongated bivalve that lives submerged in mud, probably collected along the rivers close to the sites.
The high degree of fragmentation of the shells, associated with the presence of striations produced by pointed tools on the inner part of the valve, suggests a collecting for dietary purposes and, at least in part, a consumption of raw molluscs.
A furthered analysis was conducted on Glycymeris perforated at the umbo.
We compared the archaeological holes with those associated with modern specimens collected on the beach. This comparison allowed us to identify the natural origin for almost the totality of the archaeological
sample.
Nevertheless, for one of the shells, SEM analysis revealed striations around the hole, produced by scraping activity, in order to obtain a perforation.
Finally, a yellowish patina was recorded on the natural surface of a naturally perforated Glycymeris valve. The coloration recalls the natural colour of amber, whose manufacturing for the production of beads is documented in the near village of Campestrin during the Late Bronze
Age; nevertheless, only future archaeometrical analysis will provide further information on the origin of the substance.
Papers by Silvia Gazzo
of molluscs to human subsistence economies.
Additionally, the taxonomic identi cation of malacological nds allows us to proceed with paleoenvironmental reconstructions, which are
particularly useful for the understanding of human and environment interaction.
The examinated sites of Larda I and Larda II are located near the town of Gavello (Rovigo), in the southern part of the Veneto Region, situated in north-eastern Italy.
The fi rst site is interpreted as a village endowed with bank and is dated between XIV-XIII B.C..The excavations highlighted two main settlement stages: the oldest is dated between the Middle and the Recent Bronze Age, while the second one is dated to the Recent Bronze Age.
The site of Larda II is not far from the site of Larda I and the excavations revealed two settlement stages dated to the Recent Bronze Age I.
From Larda I 380 (MNI 243) malacological finds have been recovered, while only 15 finds come from the site of Larda II.
In the two sites we identi fed a double role for marine and freshwater molluscs.
Largely, marine shells have been collected dead from the beach, as suggested by the presence of traces produced by abrasion on beaches or undertows, bioerosion and gastropod predation. Moreover, the presence of natural and anthropic holes on some Glycymeris's umbos, suggests a human desire of collecting empty shells for ornamental purposes.
Nevertheless, we cannot exclude a collecting for other purposes: for example, the presence of Glycymeris valves inside a stake-hole, could
suggest a deliberate deposition of shells as a wedge.
The sample of freshwater molluscs is composed almost exclusively by fragments of Unio, an elongated bivalve that lives submerged in mud, probably collected along the rivers close to the sites.
The high degree of fragmentation of the shells, associated with the presence of striations produced by pointed tools on the inner part of the valve, suggests a collecting for dietary purposes and, at least in part, a consumption of raw molluscs.
A furthered analysis was conducted on Glycymeris perforated at the umbo.
We compared the archaeological holes with those associated with modern specimens collected on the beach. This comparison allowed us to identify the natural origin for almost the totality of the archaeological
sample.
Nevertheless, for one of the shells, SEM analysis revealed striations around the hole, produced by scraping activity, in order to obtain a perforation.
Finally, a yellowish patina was recorded on the natural surface of a naturally perforated Glycymeris valve. The coloration recalls the natural colour of amber, whose manufacturing for the production of beads is documented in the near village of Campestrin during the Late Bronze
Age; nevertheless, only future archaeometrical analysis will provide further information on the origin of the substance.