Work

Exploring the Lithic Variability of the Mousterian (MIS 9–3) Open-Air Sites of the Pontine Plain (Central Italy)

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: This paper presents a preliminary study of the Middle Palaeolithic lithic industries recovered at six selected open-air sites in the Latium region (central Italy), part of a regional cultural complex known as the “Pontinian”. The pedo-stratigraphic analysis combined with 40Ar/ 39Ar age constraints on the sites permits us to provide for the first time a geomorphological and chronological (300–40 ka) framework for several open-air sites in central Italy. The temporal range is remarkably coincident with the Neanderthal presence in this region. Moreover, the lithic collections analysed include the oldest occurrence of a Mousterian industry in this region. The present work, therefore, provides the background context for future re-evaluation of the peculiar Pontinian techno-complex through a more in-depth technological approach and its comparison with the other Neanderthal occurrences in central Italy.

Source: Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology

DOI: 10.1007/s41982-022-00123-x

Authors: Mario Federico Rolfo, Piero Ceruleo, Fabrizio Marra, Brian Jicha, Maurizio Gatta

Institutions: University of Rome Tor Vergata, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of York

Language: English

Topic: Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology

Subfield: Anthropology

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,690

Funder: Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata