ARRIGHI S., BORGIA V., GUASPARRI G., RICCI S., SCALA A., RONCHITELLI A., 2012 – Grotta Paglicci (Rignano Garganico, Foggia): analisi sulle materie coloranti, “Atti della XLII Riunione Scientifica dell’Istituto Italiano di Preistoria e Protostoria”, Preistoria Alpina, 46 I, 91-92.
This paper deals with the preliminary analyses of the colouring materials of one of the artistic objects found at Paglicci Cave. The fragmented limestone slab (fallen down from the vault) found at the base of layer 14 A (Ancient Epigravettian) represents the hindquarter of a running equid.
Grotta Paglicci (Rignano Garganico), oltre a costituire l’unica evidenza di pittura parietale del Paleolitico in Italia, presenta una produzione artistica di grande importanza che offre una ricca e articolata documentazione di arte mobiliare. Gli scavi hanno infatti riportato alla luce numerosi manufatti artistici, alcuni dei quali provenienti da una collocazione crono-stratigrafica precisa che interessa un arco temporale compreso tra il Gravettiano evoluto e l’Epigravettiano finale. Questo studio affronta l’analisi tecnologica di una categoria di questi oggetti, e cioè i motivi naturalistici incisi su osso, con un approccio che consente di approfondire quanto precedentemente messo in luce, nel corso degli anni, da Mezzena e Palma di Cesnola sotto l’aspetto stilistico e cronologico. Particolare attenzione è stata posta nella ricostruzione della sequenzialità dei gesti (catena operativa), nella ricerca di eventuali diversità in senso diacronico, nelle modalità di utilizzo dell’ocra.
Abstract
Paglicci cave (Rignano Garganico), more than representing the only evidence of the italian Paleolithic wall painting, shows moreover an artistic production of exceptional importance, that offers a rich and articulated documentation about portable art. Excavations have brought to light numerous artistic objects, some of them coming from a precise stratigraphic position which ranges between Evolved Gravettian and Final Epigravettian. This study faces the technological analysis of the bone objects with naturalistic engravings, with an approach that allows to deepen what previously put in light, over the years, from Mezzena and Palma di Cesnola under the stylistic and chronological aspect. Particular attention has been placed in the reconstruction of the gestures (operative chain), in the search of eventual diversities in diachronic sense and in the ochre use modalities.
BOSCHIN F. & CREZZINI J., 2012 – Morphometrical Analysis on Cut Marks Using a 3D Digital Microscope, International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 22, 549–562.
Microscopic analysis represents a powerful tool for understanding taphonomy. Our work, as in other studies, aims to identify the origin of different kinds of marks on bones. In this paper, we test the application of a HIROX Digital Microscope KH-7700. This microscope captures 3D images of the bone surface, thus bringing into focus the whole section of striations. This enables the direct observation of their shape from several points of view and the relatively rapid procurement of a variety of measurements (e.g. depth, breadth, angles). This technology has been applied to several butchery experiments, in which both stone and metal tools have been used to produce cut marks on skeletal elements. The morphometrical parameters presented in this paper enabled the correct identification of the different origins of experimental striations and were further tested on two archaeological sets of cut marks inflicted by both metal blades and flint flakes or tools. Therefore, the obtained experimental records constitute a useful database for archaeological remains. The morphometrical parameters developed and implemented in this study represent objective criteria for identifying the origin of cut marks which can be processed through statistical analysis.
BORGIA V., RANALDO F., RONCHITELLI A., WIERER U., 2011 – What Differences in Production and Use of Aurignacian and Early Gravettian Lithic Assemblages? The Case of Grotta Paglicci (Rignano Garganico, Foggia, Southern Italy), in « A la recherche des identités gravettiennes: actualités, questionnements et perspectives » (sous la direction dr N. Goutas, L. Klaric, D. Pesesse et P. Guillermin), Actes de la Table Ronde sur le Gravettien en France et dans les pays limitrophes, Aix-en-Provence 6-8 octobre 2008, Mémoire LII de la Société préhistorique française, 161-174.
The aim of the present research is a techno-functional comparison of two lithic assemblages from Grotta Paglicci located at Rignano Garganico (Apulia). Level 24A1 is attributed to the Aurignacian and dated to 29,300±600 BP and layer 23 is referable to the early Gravettian and dated to 28,100 ± 400 BP. They are in stratigraphical continuity. Through the analysis of the production schemes and the use of the lithic material, the elements of continuity and change between both assemblages have been identified in order to contribute to a better definition of the distinctive features of the early Gravettian. The research shows no evidence of an eventual transition between the Aurignacian and the Gravettian technocomplex at this site.
BORGIA V., CREZZINI J., 2011 – Animal exploitation in the ancient Gravettian of Grotta Paglicci. Taphonomy, experimentation and use-wear analysis, Proceedings of the XV World Congress UISPP (Lisbon, 4-9 September 2006), BAR S2224, Vol. 47, Miscellania, Luiz Oosterbeek and Cláudia Fidalgo editors, 117-121.
Layers 23 and 22, part of the very rich Upper Paleolithic series of Paglicci Cave (Foggia – Italy), have been dated between 28.100±400 BP and 26.800±300 BP and attributed, through the analysis of the lithic industry, to an initial phase of Gravettian, a facies much rare in Italy. Taphonomic study of ungulate remains recovered from these two layers shows the presence of large numbers of skeletal elements modified by human actions. A wide range of experimental activities, followed by use wear analysis on lithic tools, has the objective to better understanding the techniques adopted by Gravettian hunters to butcher their prey.
SALARI L., DI CANZIO E., 2009 – I chirotteri del Pleistocene superiore e Olocene antico di alcune grotte dell’Italia centro-meridionale, Bullettino del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Verona, 33, 3-25.
Sono esposti i dati relativi ai resti di chirotteri recuperati da alcune grotte dell’Italia centro-meridionale interessate, negli ultimi30 anni, da scavi archeologici (Grotta dei Cocci in Umbria, Grotta Continenza e Grotta di Pozzo in Abruzzo, Grotta Barbara, Grotta Breuil e Grotta Mora di Cavorso nel Lazio, Grotta Santuario della Madonna in Calabria, Grotta delle Mura, Grotta Paglicci e Grotta Santa Maria di Agnano in Puglia). L’età dei siti copre un intervallo di tempo di circa 40.000 anni, compreso tra il Pleistocene superiore e l’Olocene antico. Di ogni specie riconosciuta sono esposte alcune note relative alla distribuzione ecologica attuale, alcune misure osteometriche ed una ricognizione delle presenze fossili riferite al Pleistocene superiore e all’Olocene antico segnalate nella regione paleartica occidentale, con particolare riguardo all’Italia.
Abstract
Bats of the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene from some caves of Central and Southern Italy – In this paper we expose the data on the remains of bats recovered from some caves of Central and Southern Italy. In the last 30 years in these caves there were archaeological excavations: Grotta dei Cocci (Umbria), Grotta Continenza and Grotta di Pozzo (Abruzzo), Grotta Barbara, Grotta Breuil and Grotta Mora di Cavorso (Latium), Grotta Santuario della Madonna (Calabria), Grotta delle Mura, Grotta Paglicci and Grotta Santa Maria di Agnano (Apulia). The age of the sites covers a time interval of about 40,000 years, including between the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene. For each species recognized some notes on the current ecological distribution, some osteometrical measures are exposed, and a reconnaissance attendance fossil referred to Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene reported in the Western Palaearctic, particularly with regard to Italy.
Borgia V., Ranaldo F., 2009 – Functional analysis of the aurignacian backed bladelets from GrottaPaglicci, Atti International Congress “ Integrated Methodological Approaches to the Study of Lithic Technology, Firenze 13-15 dicembre 2007, Human Evolution, 24(2), 121-130.
In this paper we expose the results of the analysis of the backed blades coming from layer 24, situated at the base of the paleolithic sequence of Paglicci cave. The study has been based on a twofold approach: on the one hand the analysis of the technological aspects at the base of the constructive conception of the blanks, in order to contextualize the blades in their productive system; on the other hand the low and high power microscope use-wear analysis, with the aim to characterize the existing relations between the procedures oriented to obtain specific lithic morphologies and their real use.
GIACCIO B., ISAIA R., FEDELE F.G., DI CANZIO E., HOFFECKER J., RONCHITELLI A., SINITSYN A., ANIKOVICH M., LISITSYN S.N., POPOV V.V., 2008 – The Campanian Ignimbrite and Codola tephra layers: two temporal/stratigraphic markers for the Early Upper Palaeolithic in southern Italy and eastern Europe, Journal of Vulcanology and Geothermal Research, 177, 208-226.
Abstract
Tephra layers from archaeological sites in southern Italy and eastern Europe stratigraphically associated with cultural levels containing Early Upper Palaeolithic industry were analysed. The results confirm the occurrence of the Campanian Ignimbrite tephra (CI; ca. 40 cal ka BP) at Castelcivita Cave (southern Italy), Temnata Cave (Bulgaria) and in the Kostenki–Borshchevo area of the Russian Plain. This tephra, originated from the largest eruption of the Phlegrean Field caldera, represents the widest volcanic deposit and one of the most important temporal/stratigraphic markers of western Eurasia. At Paglicci Cave and lesser sites in the Apulia region we recognise a chemically and texturally different tephra, which lithologically, chronologicallyand chemically matches the physical and chemical characteristics of the Plinian eruption of Codola; a poorlyknown Late Pleistocene explosive event from the Neapolitan volcanoes, likely Somma–Vesuvius. For this latter, we propose a preliminary age estimate of ca. 33 cal ka BP and a correlation to the widespread C-10 marine tephra of the central Mediterranean. The stratigraphic position of both CI and Codola tephra layers at Castelcivita and Paglicci help date the first and the last documented appearance of Early Upper Palaeolithic industries of southern Italy to ca. 41–40 and 33 cal ka BP, respectively, or between two interstadial oscillations of the Monticchio pollen record – to which the CI and Codola tephras are physically correlated –
corresponding to the Greenland interstadials 10–9 and 5. In eastern Europe, the stratigraphic and chronometric data seem to indicate an earlier appearance of the Early Upper Palaeolithic industries, which would predate of two millennia at least the overlying CI tephra. The tephrostratigraphic correlation indicates that in both regions the innovations connected with the so-called Early Upper Palaeolithic – encompassing subsistence strategy and stone tool technology – appeared and evolved during one of the most unstable climatic phases of the Last Glacial period. On this basis, the marked environmental unpredictability characterising this time-span is seen as a potential ecological factor involved in the cultural changes observed.
CARAMELLI D., MILANI L., VAI S., MODI A., PECCHIOLI E., GIRARDI M., PILLI E., LARI M., LIPPI B., RONCHITELLI A., MALLEGNI F., CASOLI A., BERTORELLE G., BARBUJANI G., 2008 – A 28,000 Years Old Cro-Magnon mtDNA Sequenze Differs from All Potentially Contaminating Modern Sequences, PLoS ONE, 3-7, e2700, 1-5.
Background: DNA sequences from ancient speciments may in fact result from undetected contamination of the ancient
specimens by modern DNA, and the problem is particularly challenging in studies of human fossils. Doubts on the
authenticity of the available sequences have so far hampered genetic comparisons between anatomically archaic
(Neandertal) and early modern (Cro-Magnoid) Europeans.
Methodology/Principal Findings: We typed the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable region I in a 28,000 years old Cro-Magnoid individual from the Paglicci cave, in Italy (Paglicci 23) and in all the people who had contact with the sample since its discovery in 2003. The Paglicci 23 sequence, determined through the analysis of 152 clones, is the Cambridge reference sequence, and cannot possibly reflect contamination because it differs from all potentially contaminating modern sequences.
Conclusions/Significance: The Paglicci 23 individual carried a mtDNA sequence that is still common in Europe, and which radically differs from those of the almost contemporary Neandertals, demonstrating a genealogical continuity across 28,000 years, from Cro-Magnoid to modern Europeans. Because all potential sources of modern DNA contamination are known, the Paglicci 23 sample will offer a unique opportunity to get insight for the first time into the nuclear genes of early modern Europeans.
GALIBERTI A., PALMA DI CESNOLA A., FREGUGLIA M., PERRINI L., GIANNONI L., 2008 – Le industrie litiche dello strato 2 del riparo esterno di Paglicci nel saggio del 1971: lo studio tipologico, Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 97, 1-56.
Si presentano i risultati dello studio tecnologico e tipologico dell’industria (solo dei ritoccati) dello strato 2 del Riparo esterno di Grotta Paglicci, rinvenuta nel saggio di scavo del 1971. I materiali dei vari tagli artiiciali sono stati riuniti in tre livelli (A, B e C).
La materia prima più usata è la selce in noduli, ma anche in ciottoli e blocchi con tracce di rotolamento. I supporti sono soprattutto schegge generiche e schegge “a scarpata” talora aperta, spesso con cortice sul dorso, corte, di forma molto variabile, dimensione media di 35-36 cm e spessore moderato. Esse provengono soprattutto da un débitage “clactoniano” e in parte da un débitage “Quinson”; quello levallois è praticamente assente.
Domina sempre il ritocco semplice seguito dal soprelevato e dal piatto, stabile nei tre livelli al 12%; sono presenti ritocchi a direzione speciale cosiddetti “Quinson”. Dal punto di vista della struttura i tre complessi sono dominati dai Raschiatoi, seguono i Denticolati e poi i Foliati sotto forma di raschiatoi, e gli altri gruppi, fra cui Bulini e Grattatoi più numerosi nel livello C. Il livello C sembra distinguersi da A e da B, fra loro simili. In base ai dati della lista Bordes i tre complessi vengono riferiti all’area dello Charenziano Quina, caratterizzato però da alcuni elementi arcaici provenienti da un substrato tayaziano antico, presente in alcune regioni meridionali. I tre complessi vengono messi a confronto con quelli del deposito dell’avangrotta, con i quali esiste una forte somiglianza, sicuramente a livello di A e di B; e con quelli dello strato 1, che potrebbero essere considerati un fase preparatoria del Musteriano. Viene poi posto il problema della cronologia dei vari livelli, che ino a questo momento si appoggia solo sui dati delle faune, secondo le quali anche lo strato 1 sarebbe pre-würmiano.
