Phone: Tel: +39 0577 233541 Mob: +39 339 6953782 Address: -- Università degli Studi di Siena Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell'Ambiente - U.R. Preistoria e Antropologia
The mobility of hunter-gatherer groups is crucial in understanding Palaeolithic settlement dynami... more The mobility of hunter-gatherer groups is crucial in understanding Palaeolithic settlement dynamics. The concept of mobility cannot be separated from the space in which it occurs, including landscape components, localization of critical resources and of other sites, and routes between them. Nevertheless, the landscape is not constant in time due to the geomorphological changes that occurred in the long timescale of Prehistory. Here we present a paleogeographic reconstruction of the coastal area around Grotta dei Santi during the Neandertal occupation. A GIS-based approach, combining geological, bathymetric, and sea-level fluctuations data, allows us to reconstruct the landscape around the cave at about 45 ky BP. The cave today opens onto a cliff facing the sea. The Neandertal occupation occurred with a sea-level 74 m lower than present-day. Consequently, the cave faced a vast coastal plain, playing a strategic role due to its position, allowing both proximity and control of essentia...
Si illustrano i rinvenimenti relativi alll'età del Rame, alll'età del Bronzo e all'et... more Si illustrano i rinvenimenti relativi alll'età del Rame, alll'età del Bronzo e all'età del Ferro del territorio di Caprese Michelangel
Nel 1988 il Museo Civico di Lecco effettuò due sondaggi sul terrazzo del versante settentrionale ... more Nel 1988 il Museo Civico di Lecco effettuò due sondaggi sul terrazzo del versante settentrionale della Rocca di Chiuso, presso Lecco. Il saggio I, oggetto di questo studio, mise in luce due tratti di muro a secco con andamento SN e la traccia di un terzo allineamento. Il deposito, di limitata profondità, ha restituito ceramiche dell'età del Bronzo finale (XI-X secolo a.C.) e della prima età del Ferro (IX-VIII secolo a.C.). Il lotto faunistico conta 191 resti di cui 69 determinati. Si tratta di un complesso poco numeroso ma di notevole interesse perché fornisce dati su un areale geografico e su culture ad oggi ancora poco o punto studiate sotto il profilo dell'archeozoologia. Il bue, insieme ai resti attribuibili ai grandi ungulati (44, probabilmente tutti o quasi ad esso riferibili) doveva rappresentare poco più del 42% delle presenze. I resti di capra e pecora e quelli di maiale sono di importanza marginale. Un solo reperto di cane, due resti di cervo. Nonostante la scarsa affidabilità statistica il lotto potrebbe riflettere l'economia di una comunità essenzialmente agricola, stabile sotto il profilo demografico, e un ambiente aperto, dominato da campi e pascoli.
Grotta di Cala dei Santi or Grotta dei Santi (Monte Argentario – Grosseto – Tuscany) opens at the... more Grotta di Cala dei Santi or Grotta dei Santi (Monte Argentario – Grosseto – Tuscany) opens at the base of a high cliff directly onto the sea, 200 m N-NW from Punta dell’Avoltore, on the southeastern side of the Argentario Promontory. Nowadays the cave, whose entrance is located 4 m a.s.l., can be reached exclusively by boat. Only the rear two-thirds of the approximately 10 m thick deposit filling the vast cavity is still in situ as its fore-part was eroded and emptied by the Holocene marine ingression. If the position of the cave directly onto the sea has preserved the site from possible looters over the years, it nevertheless still represents a risk as waves continue to reach the base of the deposit during the strongest winter storms. Even though the presence of prehistoric artefacts at Grotta dei Santi had been reported since the mid 1800’s (Salvagnoli, Marchetti 1843; Nicolucci 1869) it is only in 1959 that the stratigraphy of the site was first described in detail by A.G. Segre (Segre 1959) after he had visited the cave in 1953. Present investigations at Grotta dei Santi, carried out by the University of Siena in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Human Palaeontology, the University of Pisa, the Brazilian Universities of São Paulo and Curitiba and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Lipzig – Germany), have been planned in agreement with the Soprintendenza Archeologia della Toscana after a number of on-the-spot inspections and stratigraphic tests between 2006 and 2007 (Freguglia et alii 2007). Except for sporadic occupations occurring during the Roman period at the top of the sequence, up to now the only evidence of the human presence in the cave belongs to the Middle Palaeolithic. The years from 2008 to 2013 were mainly devoted to the removing of the sediment covering the undisturbed deposit (Freguglia et alii 2008; Moroni Lanfredini et alii 2010). This work led to the discovery of several anthropic layers which can be grouped into three main macro-units. These layers are, in most cases, very thin living floors, bearing one or more fire-places, and are separated from each other by sterile sediment or by layers containing phosphatic concretions (coprolites) morphologically attributable to spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta spelaea) (Crezzini, Moroni 2012). Palynological analyses are ongoing on these coprolites from different layers. The analysis of faunal remains (micro and macro fauna) and the geological study allowed for a preliminary framing of the whole Mousterian sequence within the first part of MIS3. Such an attribution has been confirmed by a recent 14C date performed (at the Max Planck Institute) on charcoal collected in a fire-place from the lower horizon (Moroni et alii in preparation). On-going investigations have clearly highlighted the importance of this site in order to reconstruct paleoenvironmental aspects and peopling dynamics concerning last Neandertals in Central Italy before their demise. More complete data are available for the upper living floor (150A) of horizon 150. The taphonomic study of macrofaunal remains allowed for detecting traces connected to different steps of carcass butchering. The lithic assemblage has been analyzed through the technological and functional (use-wear traces) approaches. Outcomes resulting from these studies were inserted in a GIS platform, specially provided; this made it possible to identify different activity areas, also related with the fire-place. Given the eco-geographic position of Grotta dei Santi a direct comparison with the so-called Pontinian technocomplexes of Mount Circeo (Latium coast) immediately arises. However the lithic materials examined up to now seem to display blank production and transformation systems different from the Pontinian ones
Si descrivono i risultati della prima campagna di scavo nel sito del Paleolitico medio di Grotta ... more Si descrivono i risultati della prima campagna di scavo nel sito del Paleolitico medio di Grotta dei Santi (Monte Argentario - GR). Nel corso dell'inervento sono stati messi in luce alcuni livelli antropici che corrispondono con ogni probabilità a quelli descritti da A.Segre nella sua pubblicazione del 1959. Tali livelli hanno restituito industria litica e abbondanti resti faunistic
The mobility of hunter-gatherer groups is crucial in understanding Palaeolithic settlement dynami... more The mobility of hunter-gatherer groups is crucial in understanding Palaeolithic settlement dynamics. The concept of mobility cannot be separated from the space in which it occurs, including landscape components, localization of critical resources and of other sites, and routes between them. Nevertheless, the landscape is not constant in time due to the geomorphological changes that occurred in the long timescale of Prehistory. Here we present a paleogeographic reconstruction of the coastal area around Grotta dei Santi during the Neandertal occupation. A GIS-based approach, combining geological, bathymetric, and sea-level fluctuations data, allows us to reconstruct the landscape around the cave at about 45 ky BP. The cave today opens onto a cliff facing the sea. The Neandertal occupation occurred with a sea-level 74 m lower than present-day. Consequently, the cave faced a vast coastal plain, playing a strategic role due to its position, allowing both proximity and control of essentia...
Si illustrano i rinvenimenti relativi alll'età del Rame, alll'età del Bronzo e all'et... more Si illustrano i rinvenimenti relativi alll'età del Rame, alll'età del Bronzo e all'età del Ferro del territorio di Caprese Michelangel
Nel 1988 il Museo Civico di Lecco effettuò due sondaggi sul terrazzo del versante settentrionale ... more Nel 1988 il Museo Civico di Lecco effettuò due sondaggi sul terrazzo del versante settentrionale della Rocca di Chiuso, presso Lecco. Il saggio I, oggetto di questo studio, mise in luce due tratti di muro a secco con andamento SN e la traccia di un terzo allineamento. Il deposito, di limitata profondità, ha restituito ceramiche dell'età del Bronzo finale (XI-X secolo a.C.) e della prima età del Ferro (IX-VIII secolo a.C.). Il lotto faunistico conta 191 resti di cui 69 determinati. Si tratta di un complesso poco numeroso ma di notevole interesse perché fornisce dati su un areale geografico e su culture ad oggi ancora poco o punto studiate sotto il profilo dell'archeozoologia. Il bue, insieme ai resti attribuibili ai grandi ungulati (44, probabilmente tutti o quasi ad esso riferibili) doveva rappresentare poco più del 42% delle presenze. I resti di capra e pecora e quelli di maiale sono di importanza marginale. Un solo reperto di cane, due resti di cervo. Nonostante la scarsa affidabilità statistica il lotto potrebbe riflettere l'economia di una comunità essenzialmente agricola, stabile sotto il profilo demografico, e un ambiente aperto, dominato da campi e pascoli.
Grotta di Cala dei Santi or Grotta dei Santi (Monte Argentario – Grosseto – Tuscany) opens at the... more Grotta di Cala dei Santi or Grotta dei Santi (Monte Argentario – Grosseto – Tuscany) opens at the base of a high cliff directly onto the sea, 200 m N-NW from Punta dell’Avoltore, on the southeastern side of the Argentario Promontory. Nowadays the cave, whose entrance is located 4 m a.s.l., can be reached exclusively by boat. Only the rear two-thirds of the approximately 10 m thick deposit filling the vast cavity is still in situ as its fore-part was eroded and emptied by the Holocene marine ingression. If the position of the cave directly onto the sea has preserved the site from possible looters over the years, it nevertheless still represents a risk as waves continue to reach the base of the deposit during the strongest winter storms. Even though the presence of prehistoric artefacts at Grotta dei Santi had been reported since the mid 1800’s (Salvagnoli, Marchetti 1843; Nicolucci 1869) it is only in 1959 that the stratigraphy of the site was first described in detail by A.G. Segre (Segre 1959) after he had visited the cave in 1953. Present investigations at Grotta dei Santi, carried out by the University of Siena in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Human Palaeontology, the University of Pisa, the Brazilian Universities of São Paulo and Curitiba and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Lipzig – Germany), have been planned in agreement with the Soprintendenza Archeologia della Toscana after a number of on-the-spot inspections and stratigraphic tests between 2006 and 2007 (Freguglia et alii 2007). Except for sporadic occupations occurring during the Roman period at the top of the sequence, up to now the only evidence of the human presence in the cave belongs to the Middle Palaeolithic. The years from 2008 to 2013 were mainly devoted to the removing of the sediment covering the undisturbed deposit (Freguglia et alii 2008; Moroni Lanfredini et alii 2010). This work led to the discovery of several anthropic layers which can be grouped into three main macro-units. These layers are, in most cases, very thin living floors, bearing one or more fire-places, and are separated from each other by sterile sediment or by layers containing phosphatic concretions (coprolites) morphologically attributable to spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta spelaea) (Crezzini, Moroni 2012). Palynological analyses are ongoing on these coprolites from different layers. The analysis of faunal remains (micro and macro fauna) and the geological study allowed for a preliminary framing of the whole Mousterian sequence within the first part of MIS3. Such an attribution has been confirmed by a recent 14C date performed (at the Max Planck Institute) on charcoal collected in a fire-place from the lower horizon (Moroni et alii in preparation). On-going investigations have clearly highlighted the importance of this site in order to reconstruct paleoenvironmental aspects and peopling dynamics concerning last Neandertals in Central Italy before their demise. More complete data are available for the upper living floor (150A) of horizon 150. The taphonomic study of macrofaunal remains allowed for detecting traces connected to different steps of carcass butchering. The lithic assemblage has been analyzed through the technological and functional (use-wear traces) approaches. Outcomes resulting from these studies were inserted in a GIS platform, specially provided; this made it possible to identify different activity areas, also related with the fire-place. Given the eco-geographic position of Grotta dei Santi a direct comparison with the so-called Pontinian technocomplexes of Mount Circeo (Latium coast) immediately arises. However the lithic materials examined up to now seem to display blank production and transformation systems different from the Pontinian ones
Si descrivono i risultati della prima campagna di scavo nel sito del Paleolitico medio di Grotta ... more Si descrivono i risultati della prima campagna di scavo nel sito del Paleolitico medio di Grotta dei Santi (Monte Argentario - GR). Nel corso dell'inervento sono stati messi in luce alcuni livelli antropici che corrispondono con ogni probabilità a quelli descritti da A.Segre nella sua pubblicazione del 1959. Tali livelli hanno restituito industria litica e abbondanti resti faunistic
The Middle Palaeolithic Oscurusciuto rock shelter opens in the Pleistocene calcarenites in the ra... more The Middle Palaeolithic Oscurusciuto rock shelter opens in the Pleistocene calcarenites in the ravine of Ginosa, about 20 km from the Ionic coast. The research that the University of Siena has been carrying out since 1998 has brought to light a stratigraphic sequence about 6 meters thick, made out of sub-horizontal layers with a dominant sandy-silty matrix [1] [2] [3]. The collapse of the shelter’s vault (large blocks can be observed along the stratigraphy) resulted in the erosion of some of the deposit. As a consequence, this is narrower in the upper layers, whereas in the lower ones the exposed surface reaches an extension of 60 square meters. The upper part of the stratigraphy (base of SU 1) yielded a 14C date of 38.500 ± 900 BP (AMS, Beta 181165;cal 42.975 ± 788 BP). A further post quem chronological marker is represented by a thick layer of tefra (SU14) attributed to the Mount Epomeo Green Tuff from Ischia (R. Sulpizio pers. comment), dated to about 55 kyrs BP. This volcanic layer seals a palaeosurface (SU15) placed at a depth of about 3 meters from the top of the deposit. The specific interest of this palaeosurface, exposed over an area of 18 square meters, is given by the presence of stone alignments referable to two possible structures, alongside large quantities of lithic and faunal remains. The first structure comprises a 2 meters wide semicircle standing against the north wall of the shelter and formed by small clusters made of 3-4 stones each. The archaeological remains are more abundant between the stones, along the perimeter of the structure, and outside it. In correspondence with the stones, the palaeosurface is characterized by a slight but clear relief. The second structure is by the side of the previous one and has similar dimensions. Its perimeter is raised and encloses a depressed area with few anthropic remains. The external area is characterized by abundant fragments of long bones from large ungulates, lithic remains and some stones which do not appear to be structured. The preliminary study of bones, mostly fragments of diaphysis and portions of mandibles and maxillaries, has allowed to determine the presence of at least one fallow deer and a minimum number of 5 individuals of aurochs of different ages. The lithic industry, like in the other levels of the sequence, shows an exploitation of local raw materials (jasper, flint and quarzarenite pebbles of different dimension and shapes) for the production of mostly elongated blanks through a unipolar Levallois modality. Apparently there is not any relevant technical investment for the transformation of the blanks by means of retouch. A 3D modelling of the surface has been made with a digital photogrammetric technique. 120 pictures have been taken around the selected area. From these, a three-dimensional model with high resolution texture has been elaborated. The resulting digital surface can be used for many analyses, among which the automatic generation of orthophotos, crossing sections, DEM and areas computation. A geo-database for the management and analysis of spatial data (both at the macro and micro levels) was also created. In the context of the micro-level, the vectorial mapping of the archaeological remains and of the structures through photogrammetry is ongoing. The gathering of the quantitative data (in relation to the lithic industries and to the faunal remains) and data elaboration through the geo-database, will allow to obtain important information for the understanding of the wide behavioural variability expressed by Neanderthal groups in relation to territory management, technology and, particularly, to the organization and use of the living space. The SU 15 of Oscurusciuto is a highly interesting archaeological evidence to grasp the cultural complexity of Neanderthals.
Digital microscopic analysis is here applied to the study of marks produced on bones by different... more Digital microscopic analysis is here applied to the study of marks produced on bones by different stone tools. Two unretouched flint flakes and two burins have been used to inflict cut marks on fresh, boiled and dry bone. Five striations have been produced for three times on each mate rial with each tool. First time single cut marks have been inflicted; second time each groove has been inflicted moving the hand two times in the same direction; third time each groove has been inflicted using the tool like a saw, moving the hand bidirectionally. Cross sections from the median part of each groove have been analysed using an Hirox 3D digital microscope (KH-7700) and metrical parameters have been collected (depth, breadth at the floor and breadth at the top of the groove). In order to describe the shape of each cross section the ratio between the breadth at the top and the breadth at the floor, as well as the ratio between the breath at the top and the depth of cut marks have been calculated. Preliminary results show that tool wear, bone conditions and the way in which cut marks were inflicted influence grooves shape. Large variability of the recorded parameters doesn't allow to discriminate between different stone tools and different actions.
As part of the Paleolithic archeology, new research questions are focused on the reconstruction o... more As part of the Paleolithic archeology, new research questions are focused on the reconstruction of the past activities at high spatial and temporal resolution, through the palimpsest dissection in their smallest time units. The analysis of the spatial dimension of data, collected and studied by specialists of different academic fields, is a key factor to understand these archaeological contexts. The current strategies of spatial archeology have led to the development of increasingly integrated analytical modules for the treatment of data achieved from these studies. In this paper we submit the analytic model adopted for the study of two Middle Palaeolithic contexts in Southern Italy: Molare Rockshelter (Scario – SA) and Oscurusciuto Rockshelter (Ginosa – TA). We integrated data from GIS computations with 3D data elaborated using Image-based 3D modeling technique. The GIS is an essential tool, able to interface with each other different kinds of data, derived from interdisciplinary studies. First of all we have studied the taphonomic data, in order to demonstrate the non-random or anthropogenic nature of the spatial distribution of the archaeological finds, and the contexts good state of preservation (chi-square, physical state of the finds, refitting pattern, absence of water flow evidence, etc.). Then, we have studied these spatial arrangements (cluster analysis, kernel density analysis, correlation analysis, etc.) to identify the structures (both visible and latent). Contextual analysis is therefore essential to reconstruct past ways of life, especially when dealing with the complex dynamics of the Paleolithic sites. An accurate documentation of the distinctive features of the context, including the morphology of the surfaces, contributes significantly to the understanding of these dynamics. Image-based 3D modeling technique allows to obtain 3D models of the investigated areas, achieving a high level of details and precision; these models can be imported into GIS platforms, enhancing its analytic potential. In particular, it is possible to deduce a number of traces of human activities, which can be recognized by centimeter-scale changes in the elevation of surfaces, as for example the arrangement of living floors and the accumulation of remains in different areas.
The Italian Peninsula seems to be playing an important
role in the debate on the cultural occurre... more The Italian Peninsula seems to be playing an important role in the debate on the cultural occurrences connected to Neanderthals. Its particular geographical position, as a peripheral appendix of the European continent, gives origin to a territory constrained in a long and narrow strip of land which, differently from the vast plains of Northern Europe, acts as a cul de sac in the population dynamics of humans and animals. At the same time, the highly variable and fragmented landscapes, sprouting from a great geomorphological variety (Apennine Chain - coastal areas), create the conditions for a wide range of resources and for a mosaic-like peopling of the Peninsula. From a chronological standpoint too, a narrowing of the time range of Neanderthal record is observable, particularly in Southern Italy. This is defined, in comparison to the wider European context, by a late appearance of Levallois in lithic industries (OIS 5) and by an early arrival of the first cultures connected to Homo sapiens (Uluzzian, about 45-44 kyrs BP). For this reason, the study of Neanderthal communities who occupied Southern Italy during that time span provides a very interesting viewpoint for the understanding of their actual variability and complexity. Over the last decade, Middle Palaeolithic research in Italy has experienced an important methodological renewal thanks not only to the diffusion of technological approach in lithic studies, but also to the broader attention paid to behavioural expressions of these human groups: exploitation strategies of the territory and of the mineral and food resources, spatial organization, mobility within territories, stone tool production, fire technology, symbolic expressions, etc. Investigations carried out by Research Unit in “Prehistory and Anthropology” of the University of Siena fit within this framework of methodological renewal and focus the on key sites located in different regions of Central- Southern Italy. This work wants to present and compare the results obtained over the last few years from the sites of Cala dei Santi (Southern Tuscany), Castelcivita, Molare and Grotta Grande (Campania), Oscurusciuto and Santa Croce (Apulia), with the aim of shedding light on Neanderthals’ behavioural variability.
Ethnographic documentation tells us that very often
hunters poison their weapons with toxic subst... more Ethnographic documentation tells us that very often hunters poison their weapons with toxic substances.The ease with which poisons can be obtained from plants and animals, and the benefits arising from their application on throwing weapons (a safe distance from the hunter’s prey, killing large size prey relatively quickly) suggests that this practice could be widespread among prehistoric hunters.In particular, the poisonous substances can incapacitate the animal, irrespective of whether the weapon causing a mortal wound: this is crucial for the recovery of meat and furs in good conditions. In this paper we present the development of a method for the detection of toxic substances on European Upper Paleolithic stone and bone points. This research is part of a wider project on the analysis of residues on the prehistoric projectile points in collaboration with the Dept. of Chemical and Forensic Sciences of the Northumbria University, Newcastle. The investigation makes use of mass spectrometric analysis to establish the presence/absence of potentially toxic substances even after thousands of years. The plants of the Ranunculaceae family, particularly monkshood, as well as other common toxic plants such as hemlock or andstrychnos toxiferia (curare) are those on which we have more historical information and form the basis of this work. Using a completely non-invasive method, samples were taken from the ethnographic materials preserved in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology of Cambridge (UK), and samplings are scheduled at the Pitt Rivers Museum of Oxford (UK) and Museo Etnografico Pigorini of Roma (Italy). The method preview the research of the toxic molecules starting from the present plants and working backwards through the study of the historical and ethnographic weapons.
In this work we tested the application of 3D microscopy
to technological analysis of artistic eng... more In this work we tested the application of 3D microscopy to technological analysis of artistic engravings on Palaeolithic mobiliary art objects. The aim of this research is to understand the technical and artistic procedures followed by prehistoric artists. Here we analysed an unpublished right mandible of Bos primigenius (auroch), coming from the portable art assemblage of Paglicci Cave (Foggia, Southern Italy). This site shows an artistic production of exceptional importance that offers an essential record about Paleolithic mobiliary art in Italy (from Gravettian to Final Epigravettian). The studied mandible, coming from Evolved Epigravettian layers, displays an engraved motif of difficult interpretation. Before studying the archaeological piece we produced an experimental programme in order to compare archaeological data with those obtained through replication under controlled parameters. We produced a set of experimental engravings on bone using burins and not retouched blanks. The experimental and archaeological engravings were analysed by means of a Hirox 3D Digital Microscope KH-7700.Cross sections from the median part of each groove have been observed and metrical parameters have been collected (depth, breadth at the floor and breadth at the top of the groove). In order to describe the shape of each cross section the ratio between the breadth at the top and the breadth at the floor, as well as the ratio between the breath at the top and the depth of cut marks have been calculated. Results of the analysis revealed that the overall contours of the figure was engraved first, while engraved lines inside were added afterwards. The experimental data pointed out that the morphometric analysis reveal no discriminating characters between the engravings produced by burins and those produced by not retouched blanks; on the other hand the micromorphological analysis showed a clearer context, where we can characterize the engravings produced by the two kinds of tool. The analysis of archaeological piece revealed a high homogeneity of the micromorphological and micromorphometrical data, feature which suggests the use of a single tool in the realization of the figure, probably a burin. In addition to it the morphometric data collected on the mobilary art object were compared with those collected on a sample of cut marks from the same site. Significant differences were found between the two samples: in particular the cut marks cross-sections are V-shaped, whilst the art object is characterised by U-shaped engravings. As regards the micro-morphological data, this research seems to give good indications for the detection of parameters that allow us to recognize the kinds of tool used for engraving. The application of 3D microscopy reveals new perspectives for the identification of techniques and gesture of prehistoric artists. Finally, the differences found between the art object and the cut marks are of great interest for developing protocols able to separate between butchering marks and engravings of dubious origin.
Galgenbuhel/Dos de la Forca is an Early Mesolithic site located at Salorno (Bolzano, Italy, Alps)... more Galgenbuhel/Dos de la Forca is an Early Mesolithic site located at Salorno (Bolzano, Italy, Alps) and dated between approximately 8S00 and 7S00 BC cal. The subsistence economy of the hunter-gatherer groups was based on the exploitation of nearby wetlands and the forested valley bottom, Together with ungulates as wild boar, red deer and chamois, the fauna comprises small carnivores (wild cat, fox, pine marten, badger) and semi-aquatic mammals such as otter and beaver. The latter is the most abundant taxon and a reasonable amount of its remains bear cut marks. Anthropic traces are also present on bones of Fe/is silvestris, Martes martes, Lutra lutra and Lepus sp. A recent ly published paper about the wild cat remains of Galgenbuhel has demonstrated its exploitation not only for its fur but for nutritional purposes, too. We present the examination of the skeletal frequencies and the distribution of the anthropic traces on the bones belonging to the other small carnivores, rodents and lagomorphs. A 3D digital microscope analysis was performed in order to identify the origin of the cut ma rks. Results have allowed to reconstruct the chaine operatoire adopted by hunter-gatherers for the treatment of Castor fiber carcasses and to understand the role of each species in their subsistence strategies. The work is part of a research project (living near the water) finances by the Higher Education Support, Unive rsity and Research Office of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano
The Early Mesolithic rockshelter site Gaigenbuhel/Dos de la Forca (Province of Bozen/Bolzano, Ita... more The Early Mesolithic rockshelter site Gaigenbuhel/Dos de la Forca (Province of Bozen/Bolzano, Italy, Eastern Alps) lies in the Adige/Elsch Va11ey at the foot of a steep rock face that borders the va11ey. It is located above a detritic cone near the wet environment in the va11ey bottom. The range of radiocarbon dating is betwt'en 926S ± 70 years BP uncal. (8425 - 8089 8C ca1.) and 8S60 ± 6S years BP unca1. (7705 -7478 BC caL), attesting that the si te was frequented by human groups between the final part of Preboreal and the midBoreal. Evidence of Cyprinid and Pike fishing and a great amount of beaver bones as well as presence of otter and Union testify an intense exploitation of wetland resources. Results of a taphonomic analysis conducted on Emys orbicularis remains are presented in this paper. Cut marks on limb bones testify the consumption of this reptile. Burned specimens related to this taxon are very common, more than ones related to other taxa. In particular most specimens related to the carapace and the plastron are carbonised or calcined. In phase 4 only the carapace fragments are burned, whilst plastron elements are not. It could indicate the cooking of turtles directly on hearths or that carapaces were used as vessels to cook or heat food or other substances.
The study of macromammal remains from two holocenic sites,
Gorgo del Ciliegio and Trebbio, locate... more The study of macromammal remains from two holocenic sites, Gorgo del Ciliegio and Trebbio, located in the Upper Tiber Valley is presented. These sites, even though situated in the same geographical area, are featured by very different economic and settlement patterns. The Middle Bronze Age settlement of Gorgodel Ciliegio is located on the left bank of the Afra stream, a tributary of the Tiber river, on an alluvial terrace 400 m above sea level. The Afra valley is a narrow valley wedged in between the Apennines. Investigations carried out at t his site produced a number of meaningful data which testify the occurrence of a small inhabited area, composed of a single wide dwelling and other additional structures, which could be interpreted as a sort of Ularge farm". Macromammals remains be long mainly to domestic species, principally ovi-caprines, and, to a less extent, to wild species. The Iron Age site of Trebbio, situated in the Tiber floodplain, is a vast settlement occupying about 20 hectares, whose extent is a clear evidence of the intensive human occupation. At Trebbio wild species are very scarcely represented and pig is the predominant taxon. Integrated results of zooarchaeological, geomorphological, palaeobotanical and cult ural analyses have provided new insights about socio-economic cha nges and settlement strategies occurred in a region where human occupation was strongly influenced by fast modifications of the landscape.
Digital imaging allows to collect and process morphometric quantitative data on archaeological fi... more Digital imaging allows to collect and process morphometric quantitative data on archaeological finds. The Research Unit of Prehistory and Anthropology of the University of Siena is currently developing new protocols for the analysis of bone modifications using a Hirox Digital Microscope KH-7700. This instrument captures 3D images of the observed surfaces enabling the direct observation of butchering marks, artistic engravings and non-anthropic evidences (for instance tooth marks) from several points of view; it also allows a rapid procurement of several quantitative data (linear and angular measurements) that can be processed through univariate and multivariate statistics. After the analysis of more than four hundred specimens, we are presenting in this paper the results of several case-studies from Italian Palaeolithic and Metal Age sites: we demonstrated that processing quantitative data it is possible to separate between butchering marks inflicted using stone and metal tools; to identify the kind of stone tool used to produce prehistoric artistic engravings; to separate between butchering marks and artistic engravings. All data coming from the analysis of archaeological specimens are compared with those obtained carrying out experimental proofs; it allows to corroborate our results. The encouraging obtained outcome confirms the validity of our protocols and the important role that computer applications and quantitative methods play for understanding prehistory.
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Papers by Jacopo Crezzini
shelter’s vault (large blocks can be observed along the stratigraphy) resulted in the erosion of some of the deposit. As a consequence, this is narrower in the upper layers, whereas in the lower ones the exposed surface reaches an extension of 60 square meters. The upper part of the stratigraphy (base of SU 1) yielded a 14C date of 38.500 ± 900 BP (AMS, Beta 181165;cal 42.975 ± 788 BP). A further post quem chronological marker is represented by a thick layer of tefra (SU14) attributed to the Mount Epomeo Green Tuff from Ischia (R. Sulpizio pers. comment), dated to about 55 kyrs BP. This volcanic layer seals a palaeosurface (SU15) placed at a depth of about 3 meters from the top of the deposit. The specific interest of this palaeosurface, exposed over an area of 18 square meters, is given by the presence of stone alignments referable to two possible structures, alongside large quantities of lithic and faunal remains. The first structure comprises a 2 meters wide semicircle standing against the north wall of the shelter and formed by small clusters made of 3-4 stones each. The archaeological remains are more abundant between the stones, along the perimeter of the structure, and outside it. In correspondence with the stones, the palaeosurface is characterized by a slight but clear relief. The second structure is by the side of the previous one and has similar dimensions. Its perimeter is raised and encloses a depressed area with few anthropic remains. The external area is characterized by abundant fragments of long bones from large ungulates, lithic remains and some stones which do not appear to be structured. The preliminary study of bones, mostly fragments of diaphysis and portions of mandibles and maxillaries, has allowed to determine the presence of at least one fallow deer and a minimum number of 5 individuals of aurochs of different ages. The lithic industry, like in the other levels of the sequence, shows an exploitation of local raw materials (jasper, flint and quarzarenite pebbles of different dimension and shapes) for the production of mostly elongated blanks through a unipolar Levallois modality. Apparently there is not any relevant technical investment for the transformation of the blanks by means of retouch. A 3D modelling of the surface has been made with a digital photogrammetric technique. 120 pictures have been taken around the selected area. From these, a three-dimensional model with high resolution texture has been elaborated. The resulting digital surface can be used for many analyses, among which the automatic generation of orthophotos, crossing sections, DEM and areas computation. A geo-database for the management and analysis of spatial data (both at the macro and micro levels) was also created. In the context of the micro-level, the vectorial mapping of the archaeological remains and of the structures through photogrammetry is ongoing. The gathering of the quantitative data (in relation to the lithic industries and to the faunal remains) and data elaboration through the geo-database, will allow to obtain important information for the understanding of the wide behavioural variability expressed by Neanderthal groups in relation to territory management, technology and, particularly, to the organization and use of the living space. The SU 15 of Oscurusciuto is a highly interesting archaeological evidence to grasp the cultural complexity of Neanderthals.
role in the debate on the cultural occurrences connected
to Neanderthals. Its particular geographical position,
as a peripheral appendix of the European continent,
gives origin to a territory constrained in a long and narrow
strip of land which, differently from the vast plains
of Northern Europe, acts as a cul de sac in the population
dynamics of humans and animals.
At the same time, the highly variable and fragmented
landscapes, sprouting from a great geomorphological
variety (Apennine Chain - coastal areas), create the conditions
for a wide range of resources and for a mosaic-like
peopling of the Peninsula. From a chronological standpoint
too, a narrowing of the time range of Neanderthal
record is observable, particularly in Southern Italy. This is
defined, in comparison to the wider European context,
by a late appearance of Levallois in lithic industries (OIS 5)
and by an early arrival of the first cultures connected to
Homo sapiens (Uluzzian, about 45-44 kyrs BP).
For this reason, the study of Neanderthal communities
who occupied Southern Italy during that time span provides
a very interesting viewpoint for the understanding
of their actual variability and complexity. Over the last
decade, Middle Palaeolithic research in Italy has experienced
an important methodological renewal thanks
not only to the diffusion of technological approach in lithic studies, but also to the broader attention paid to
behavioural expressions of these human groups: exploitation
strategies of the territory and of the mineral and
food resources, spatial organization, mobility within territories,
stone tool production, fire technology, symbolic
expressions, etc.
Investigations carried out by Research Unit in “Prehistory
and Anthropology” of the University of Siena fit within
this framework of methodological renewal and focus
the on key sites located in different regions of Central-
Southern Italy.
This work wants to present and compare the results obtained
over the last few years from the sites of Cala dei
Santi (Southern Tuscany), Castelcivita, Molare and Grotta
Grande (Campania), Oscurusciuto and Santa Croce
(Apulia), with the aim of shedding light on Neanderthals’
behavioural variability.
hunters poison their weapons with toxic substances.The
ease with which poisons can be obtained from plants
and animals, and the benefits arising from their application
on throwing weapons (a safe distance from the
hunter’s prey, killing large size prey relatively quickly)
suggests that this practice could be widespread among
prehistoric hunters.In particular, the poisonous substances
can incapacitate the animal, irrespective of whether
the weapon causing a mortal wound: this is crucial for
the recovery of meat and furs in good conditions.
In this paper we present the development of a method
for the detection of toxic substances on European Upper
Paleolithic stone and bone points. This research is part
of a wider project on the analysis of residues on the prehistoric
projectile points in collaboration with the Dept.
of Chemical and Forensic Sciences of the Northumbria
University, Newcastle.
The investigation makes use of mass spectrometric analysis
to establish the presence/absence of potentially toxic
substances even after thousands of years.
The plants of the Ranunculaceae family, particularly
monkshood, as well as other common toxic plants such
as hemlock or andstrychnos toxiferia (curare) are those
on which we have more historical information and form
the basis of this work. Using a completely non-invasive method, samples were
taken from the ethnographic materials preserved in the
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology of Cambridge
(UK), and samplings are scheduled at the Pitt
Rivers Museum of Oxford (UK) and Museo Etnografico
Pigorini of Roma (Italy).
The method preview the research of the toxic molecules
starting from the present plants and working backwards
through the study of the historical and ethnographic
weapons.
to technological analysis of artistic engravings on Palaeolithic
mobiliary art objects. The aim of this research is
to understand the technical and artistic procedures followed
by prehistoric artists. Here we analysed an unpublished
right mandible of Bos primigenius (auroch), coming
from the portable art assemblage of Paglicci Cave (Foggia,
Southern Italy). This site shows an artistic production
of exceptional importance that offers an essential record
about Paleolithic mobiliary art in Italy (from Gravettian to
Final Epigravettian). The studied mandible, coming from
Evolved Epigravettian layers, displays an engraved motif
of difficult interpretation. Before studying the archaeological piece we produced
an experimental programme in order to compare archaeological
data with those obtained through replication
under controlled parameters. We produced a set of
experimental engravings on bone using burins and not
retouched blanks. The experimental and archaeological
engravings were analysed by means of a Hirox 3D Digital
Microscope KH-7700.Cross sections from the median
part of each groove have been observed and metrical
parameters have been collected (depth, breadth at the
floor and breadth at the top of the groove). In order to
describe the shape of each cross section the ratio between
the breadth at the top and the breadth at the
floor, as well as the ratio between the breath at the top
and the depth of cut marks have been calculated.
Results of the analysis revealed that the overall contours
of the figure was engraved first, while engraved lines
inside were added afterwards. The experimental data
pointed out that the morphometric analysis reveal no
discriminating characters between the engravings produced
by burins and those produced by not retouched
blanks; on the other hand the micromorphological analysis
showed a clearer context, where we can characterize
the engravings produced by the two kinds of tool. The
analysis of archaeological piece revealed a high homogeneity
of the micromorphological and micromorphometrical
data, feature which suggests the use of a single tool in the realization of the figure, probably a burin. In
addition to it the morphometric data collected on the
mobilary art object were compared with those collected
on a sample of cut marks from the same site. Significant
differences were found between the two samples: in particular the cut marks cross-sections are V-shaped, whilst
the art object is characterised by U-shaped engravings.
As regards the micro-morphological data, this research
seems to give good indications for the detection of parameters
that allow us to recognize the kinds of tool used
for engraving. The application of 3D microscopy reveals
new perspectives for the identification of techniques
and gesture of prehistoric artists. Finally, the differences
found between the art object and the cut marks are of
great interest for developing protocols able to separate
between butchering marks and engravings of dubious
origin.
fox, pine marten, badger) and semi-aquatic mammals such as otter and beaver. The latter is the most abundant taxon and a reasonable amount of its remains bear cut marks. Anthropic traces are also present on bones of Fe/is silvestris, Martes martes, Lutra lutra and Lepus sp. A recent ly published paper about the wild cat remains of Galgenbuhel has demonstrated its exploitation not only for its fur but for nutritional purposes, too. We present the examination of the skeletal frequencies and the distribution of the anthropic traces
on the bones belonging to the other small carnivores, rodents and lagomorphs. A 3D digital microscope analysis was performed in order to identify the origin of the cut ma rks. Results have allowed to reconstruct the chaine operatoire adopted by hunter-gatherers for the treatment of Castor fiber carcasses and to understand the role of each species in their subsistence strategies. The work is part of a research project (living near the water) finances by the Higher Education Support, Unive rsity and Research Office of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano
by human groups between the final part of Preboreal and the midBoreal. Evidence of Cyprinid and Pike fishing and a great amount of beaver bones as well as presence of otter and Union testify an intense exploitation of wetland resources. Results of a taphonomic analysis conducted on Emys orbicularis remains are presented in this paper. Cut marks on limb bones testify the consumption of this reptile. Burned specimens related to this taxon are very common, more than ones related to other taxa. In particular most specimens related to the carapace and the plastron are carbonised
or calcined. In phase 4 only the carapace fragments are burned, whilst plastron elements are not. It could indicate the cooking of turtles directly on hearths or that carapaces were used as vessels to cook or heat food or other substances.
Gorgo del Ciliegio and Trebbio, located in the Upper Tiber Valley is presented. These sites, even though situated in the same geographical area, are featured by very different economic and settlement patterns. The Middle Bronze Age settlement of Gorgodel Ciliegio is located on the left bank of the Afra stream, a tributary of the Tiber river, on an alluvial terrace 400 m above sea level. The Afra valley is a narrow valley wedged in between the Apennines.
Investigations carried out at t his site produced a number of
meaningful data which testify the occurrence of a small inhabited area, composed of a single wide dwelling and other additional structures, which could be interpreted as a sort of Ularge farm". Macromammals remains be long mainly to domestic species, principally ovi-caprines, and, to a less extent, to wild species. The Iron Age site of Trebbio, situated in the Tiber floodplain, is a vast settlement occupying about 20 hectares, whose extent is a clear evidence of the intensive human occupation. At Trebbio wild species are very scarcely represented and pig is the predominant taxon. Integrated results of zooarchaeological, geomorphological, palaeobotanical and cult ural analyses have provided new insights about socio-economic cha nges and settlement strategies occurred in a region where human occupation was strongly influenced by fast modifications of the landscape.