Investigating Early Upper Paleolithic technological variability and cultural dynamics south of the Alps

• Applicant: Dr. Armando Falcucci
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431809858

The Aurignacian serves as one of the most significant archaeological records attesting to the expansion of modern humans into Europe. However, the biocultural processes underlying its success across diverse environments remain largely elusive. The Project was conceived to fill this knowledge gap by providing fresh insights into the ecologically diverse regions south of the Alps. Ongoing project findings have unearthed substantial disparities in lithic technological systems and economic behaviors among foraging groups across various Italian regions, especially when comparing the northern and southern records. In the context of Castelcivita, a sharp cultural break in the archaeological sequence has been observed, evidenced by a sudden proliferation of carinated cores and a pronounced miniaturization of bladelets. Importantly, these variations are not correlated to major environmental disasters, such as the Campanian Ignimbrite super-eruption. Concurrently, the diachronic trajectory of the Aurignacian in northern Italy appears more intricate than previously assumed. The taphonomic analysis of Fumane Cave's stratigraphic units implies that past excavations have in part failed to delineate meaningful archaeological divisions within the Upper Paleolithic sequence. Given these insights, additional research is necessary to better comprehend the diachronic evolution of the Aurignacian. Recent dating efforts have accurately positioned two pivotal southern Italian sites within their chronological context, thereby enabling the utilization of the Aurignacian evidence from these sites to characterize the post-Campanian Ignimbrite cultural development. This renewal phase will yield fresh quantitative lithic technology data from La Cala and Paglicci, employing state-of-the-art methodologies in lithic analysis that hinge on quantitative workflows and 3D scanning techniques. Furthermore, it will synthetize the results of the lithic studies with multidisciplinary lines of evidence. Through this approach, the project aims to synthesize the rich Italian Aurignacian record across Italy, facilitating a diachronic exploration of cultural transmission mechanisms between foraging groups north and south of the Alps. Moreover, the project will persist in exploring novel techniques for quantifying lithic data and augmenting data reusability by disseminating methodological workflows, datasets, and open-access repositories of 3D models.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Italy
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Francesco Boschin; Professorin Dr. Adriana Moroni