Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Climate , 4 of the Past Discussions 5 , S. Nomade 1,3 ´ eoproxus, UMR7159, CNRS, ´ emah ` a di Ferrara, C.so Ercole I d’Este 32, , and C. Peretto 5 , A.-M. S 2 5182 5181 ´ eum National d’Histoire Naturelle, UMR7194, CNRS, ´ eveloppement, LOCEAN – Pal erent kinds of environments. During the “Mid-Pleistocene ff , U. Thun Hohenstein , E. Russo Ermolli 1 1 ´ ehistoire, Mus , V. Lebreton , J.-J. Bahain ´ ` e Panhard, 75013 Paris, France a di Napoli Federico II, corso Umberto I, 80138 Napoli, Italy 1 1 ´ epartement de Pr This discussion paper is/has been under review for the journal Climate of the Past (CP). Please refer to the corresponding final paper in CP if available. Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, InstitutDipartimento Pierre delle Simon Risorse Laplace, Naturali e Culturali, Universit Institut de Recherche pour le D Universit D mesophytic forests developed during the interglacialto increasing periods aridity and during withdrew the in glacial(Molise, response episodes. Italy), New attest pollen data to from the(ca. the evolution 500 Boiano of basin to vegetation 300 and ka).ing climate In the between this glacial OIS basin, phases, 13arboreal the could and persistence flora have 9 of favored and high the providedmunities edaphic establishment during subsistence humidity, of the even resources a Middle dur- for refuge Pleistocene.migrate This the into area could such animal for have a the and constrained propitiousglacial human area. hominin groups episodes, Regarding com- to to the the supposed local displacement climate evolution from during these the sites could be linked to the coastal plains, as attested by theFaunal numerous settlements remains of indicate the Roma that basinexploitable human (ca. ecosystems, 300 subsistence from ka). behaviors semi-open benefited toern closed of environments. Italy, a In several diversity central palynological of andscale records south- vegetation have dynamic already trends. illustrated During the the regional Middle Pleistocene and climate local cycles, mixed with an aridity crisisthe which more strongly favorable modified climatemental the of conditions ecosystems. central for Starting and long-term fromfact, southern human the the Italy occupations MPT human provided even strategy propitiousities during of environ- of the territory resources. glacial occupation Prehistoric times.(ca. was sites In 600–620 certainly ka), such driven as Gaudo bytestify Notarchirico San to the (ca. Nicola a availabil- 680–600 (ca. preferential ka), occupationing 380–350 La ka) of interglacial Pineta the phases, or central while Ceprano and later (ca. southern interglacial 345–355 Apennines occupations ka) valleys were dur- oriented towards the The palaeobotanical record ofthat early hominins Palaeolithic sites settled from inTransition Western (MPT)”, di Europe from indicates aboutnant 1 climatic to oscillations, 0.6 Ma, occurring the within transition a from long-term 41-ka cooling to trend, 100-ka was domi- associated Abstract 44100 Ferrara, Italy Received: 28 September 2012 – Accepted: 16Correspondence October to: 2012 R. – Orain Published: ([email protected]) 23 OctoberPublished 2012 by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. 32 avenue Henri Varagnat,4 93143 Bondy Cedex, France UMR8212, CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, Avenue5 de la Terrasse, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France Hominin responses to environmental changes during the Middle PleistoceneCentral in and Southern Italy R. Orain 3 1 rue Ren 2 Clim. Past Discuss., 8, 5181–5207, 2012 www.clim-past-discuss.net/8/5181/2012/ doi:10.5194/cpd-8-5181-2012 © Author(s) 2012. CC Attribution 3.0 License. Q. Shao 1 5 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | erences among ff ´ ee et al., 2011). 5184 5183 erent scales (Russo Ermolli et al., 2010a; Manzi et al., 2011), ff Synchronicity of hominin occupations and palaeoenvironmental archives, locally Later on, the climate dynamics throughout the Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT) In several of such earliest sites, palaeobotanical and palaeontological investiga- Italy, led to reinvestigatepotential the impact regional on the climate communities’ and displacement motivations. environmental dynamics and their 2 Regional Mode 2 archaeological settings Between 600 and 300 ka,is a known relative in high Central concentration and ofterritories, Southern archaeological Mode Italy evidences 2 recorded (Fig. archaeological at 1). sites those Despite sites the are remarkably cultural consistent. di environmental dynamics comparable to thoseglacials. of On continental the Europe, other with hand,with cold Central glacial and and phases dry Southern mainly marked Italy by experienced the a increase warmer in climate aridity. available between the Oxygen Isotopic Stages (OIS) 16 and 9 in Central and Southern to displace and settlesuitable for in their new subsistence. territories Atsocial the behaviors, where same as ecological time, evidenced conditions hominins by2006; acquired the Peretto, appeared 2006; new Mode Doronichev more technical 1 and and Golovanova, tooccurring 2010). Mode In since 2 Italy, the both transition climate MPT (Grifoni changes of and and the complex environments Tozzi, physiographic at settings di ledwith to a fundamental the dichotomy fragmentation between2010). northern Since and central/southern the regions Middle (Bertini, Pleistocene, Northern Italy has been recording climatic and strated that the occupation onlyton, took 2004; place Messager in et semi-open al., to 2011b). open environments (Lebre- strongly impacted the ecosystems, especially2005; at the Joannin mid et latitudes (Lisiecki al., and Raymo, 2011). Prehistoric populations located in Western Europe had in Northern Italy, palaeoenvironmental studies in the site of Monte Poggiolo demon- that, at around 1.1tages Ma, of some closed communities environments (Marquer were et able al., to 2011; settle Messager et in al., and 2011b) to whereas take advan- tion provided elements forof palaeoenvironmental sites reconstructions. such In asCa’Belvedere the Pont-de-Lavaud di (France), surroundings Monte ca. 1.2–1.1 Poggiolo Maevidence (Italy), demonstrates (Marquer ca. that et 1.2–1 some Ma al.,already of (Lebreton, 2011) acquired the 2004), and enough earliest palynological plasticity populationstems, to of including move Western and in to Europe Western occupysumption had Europe a of (Messager large systematic et diversity withdrawal al., of ontoclimate 2011b), ecosys- the cycle which Levantine (Leroy contradict corridor et the and al., as- Caucasus 2011). at In each fact, the occupation of Pont-de-Lavaud indicates 2007; Messager et al.,as 2011a) Pirro and Nord the in Italy earliest aroundOrce occupations 1.4 Ma complex of (Arzarello in Western et al., Spain Eurasia, 2006;Basin such around Arzarello sites and 1.2 in Peretto, Ma 2010), France (Oms around et 1.1 Ma al., (Despri 2000; Duval et al., 2012) or Loire Based on the archaeologicalminins records, the to first spread “Out across(i.e. Of 1.95 Eurasia Africa” to occurred dispersal 1.78 Ma). which sometimeswas Despite led the around ho- the main the pathway consensual to Olduvaiand acceptation Western that subchron Swisher, Eurasia the 2004; (Bar-Yosef Levantine and Schattnerevidence corridor Belfer-Cohen, and of 2001; Lazar, mobility Anton 2009; towardsbetween Bar-Yosef Europe 1.8 and is and Belmaker, 1 still 2011), Maarchaeological scattered (Bar-Yosef the and gap and Belfer-Cohen, remains 2001). covers between Thus, aof a the long the chronological Caucasian Olduvai time and site subchron period, (Gabunia of et Dmanisi, al., dated 2000; Vekua to et the al., top 2002; Lordkipanidze et al., global climate changes. 1 Introduction environmental dynamics solely due to the aridity increase rather than directly to the 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ` evre ` evre et al., 12 ka (2 s level, ± Ar ages provided a reference 39 Ar/ 40 ` evre et al., 2010). The faunal assem- ` evre et al., 2010). However, its lithic indus- 40 ka (OIS 16-15) using TL dating (Lef 5186 5185 ± 10 ka, corresponding to OIS 15 (Coltorti et al., 2005; Shao et al., 2011). ± ` evre et al., 2010) place Loreto later than Notarchirico, at least younger than OIS (around 20 %, some of important size) with a diversity of flint tools, including numerous from the same horizonrelative previously to dated ACs by standard K/ArOIS at give 11 an 1.193 (A. Ma; age G. Nomade of Segre, et 408 personal al., communication, 2012). 2005),2.5 which correspond to Guado the San Nicola The site of Guado San Nicolation di on Monteroduni a is river a recently terrace2012). discovered south open-air It of occupa- recorded the Isernia a basin rich (C. lithic Peretto, personal industry communication, characterized by a high rate of bifacial tools cenzi, 1984; Segre NaldiniFontana et Ranuccio al., FU (Sardella 2009). et Thedini al., et recorded 2006; al., faunal Palombo 2009). taxa andsite Formerly correspond Sardella, has K/Ar 2007; to recently Segre dated been the attributed Nal- around2009). to 458 the ka However, OIS (Segre a 12 and based new on Ascenzi, 40Ar/39Ar recent 1984), TL age the ages obtained (Muttoni et on al., single leucite crystals extracted Ranuccio FU (Barral and Simone,(Lef 1984), and the analysis of14 the underlaying (Cassoli formation et al.,2010; 1999; Masini Grifoni et and al., Tozzi, 2012). 2006; Sardella et2.4 al., 2006; Lef Fontana Ranuccio The site of FontanaAnagni Ranuccio basin (Latium) which is provided an a open lithic air industry site attributed located to on the a Acheulean terrace culture of (As- the The site of Loreto is anothera succession terrace of occupations of and the natural Venosadirectly surfaces basin located dated on (Barral by and radio-isotopic Simone, methodtry, 1984). (Lef attributed Unfortunately, to it the has early not Tayacian, yet the palaeontological record, linked to the Fontana 2.3 Loreto blages recorded for themammal earliest assemblages stages demonstrate match the withseveral record the interglacial Isernia of phases FU; successive (CassoliSardella, however, faunal et the 2007; phases al., later Masini through 1999; ettions Sardella al., during et 2012). several This al., climatic assumptionsedimentary 2006; cycles filling of Palombo could and long and the be lived lithic supported repetitive evolution (Piperno, by occupa- 1999). the huge thickness of the tions located on a river terracedustries which (Piperno, provided 1999). human First remains proposed andof to early be occupation Acheulean between in- 350 is and knownet 200 ka, placed al., the first at 2010). stages 640 palaeontological It is analysis attributed (Piperno, to 1999; an Lef interglacial phase, supported by microfossils and age of 610 The tools are considered(Coltorti et matching al., with 1982; an Peretto,faunal 1983; remains opportunistic Rufo attributed et late to al., the Mode(MA) 2009). Isernia (Sardella 1 La Faunal et Pineta Unit lithic al., records (FU) 2006; industry an of Palombo abundant and the Sardella, Galerian 2007). 2.2 Mammal Age Notarchirico The site of Notarchirico (Venosa Basin, Basilicata) is an open air succession of occupa- La Pineta (Iserniawithin Basin, thick Molise) fluvio-lacustrine and iscession volcanic an deposits. of important It occupations, consists mainly Earlya in characterized river Palaeolithic a (Coltorti by large et site wide al., open 1982; discovered bones air Peretto, 1983). accumulations, suc- Several close to 2.1 La Pineta 5 5 25 15 20 10 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ` a, Carya Ar results 39 discovered in Ar/ 40 Homo heidelbergensis . Homo heidelbergensis 5188 5187 Homo heidelbergensis Ar dating of an overlaying tephra layer provided a more robust 40 Ar/ 39 /Aquatics testifies to the persistence of local edaphic humidity during 4 ka, corresponding to OIS 10 (Nomade et al., 2011), comforting that this ± Cyperaceae Figure 4 illustrates the vegetation dynamics from the main regional palynological sequences, with a lack of recordssidered for as OIS being 11 the and most 10. significant The palaeoecological selected markers. taxa The are last widely occurrence con- of increase and tree diversitythe decrease establishment of of the a Middle(Orain refuge Pleistocene et area, (Bertini, al., at 2010), 2012). leastthe led The for response to Boiano the of pollen most vegetation exigent dataditions to taxa, bring and climate such out the changes as new and overallPleistocene information milder to (Bertini, to climate appreciate 2010; understand the of Corrado diversity Central2012). and of and Magri, con- Southern 2011; Italy Manzi during et the al., Middle 2011; Orain et al., The palynological results arepollen taxa presented following in their aanalysis ecological synthetic are requirements. diagram presented The (Fig. inof summarized 3), Table description 1. assembling and Amongthe the entire main sequence. features, These the singular continuous conditions, record within the overall progressive aridity 2010a,b; Corrado and Magri, 2011;records, Manzi associated et to al., the 2011). archaeological evidences Suchtal (Fig. a framework 1), concentration in improves of the which environmen- pollen human communities evolved. 3.1 Vegetation records The new pollenBoiano analysis basin (Orain (Fig. et 2)tation al., carries evolution 2012) in out conducted Southern new Italy, data among mainly concerning filling between the OIS record Middle 13 of and Pleistocene the 9 vege- (Aucelli et al., 2011). Because of the largetocene numbers lacustrine of and fluvio-palustrine Early sedimentary PalaeolithicApennine’s fillings sites Quaternary of the and basins Central abundant provide andpalaeontological Middle Southern synchronous data Pleis- regional on scale environmental palynological dynamics (Bertini, and 2010; Russo Ermolli et al., 3 Middle Pleistocene regional environmental settings (Radmilli and Boschian, 1996; Mariani-Costantini et al., 2001). to OIS 9, such(Radmilli as and Castel Boschian, di2010; 1996; Guido, Anzidei La Palombo et al., Polledrara and 2012).tercourses do Sardella, These facing Cecanibbio open-air 2007; and the sites Boschian are Torreassemblages, Tyrrhenian corresponding in located Sea, and to on Pietra the and Sacc headlands Torre in above showing Pietra wa- with a FU an of attribution remarkable the to earlyAmong the coherence Aurelian OIS these of MA, 9 sites, match- (Sardella faunal the eteral al., case 2006; elephant of Palombo bone Castel and bifacials Sardella, di and 2007). Guido hominin is remains remarkable attributed for to having yielded sev- age of 353 hominin calvarium probably belong to 2.7 The Roma basin The Roma basin (Latium) records an important concentration of Acheulean sites dated 2.6 Ceprano The Ceprano skull, an1994 incomplete in the calvarium Ceprano of basinremain (Ascenzi discovered et in al., Italy, 1996), but(Manzi it is one has et of not al., the directly 2010). most beentocene, Although discussed linked recent human to it any has archaeological long site been considered as old as the Early Pleis- eral nuclei and reworking splinters. Suchlink preliminary the considerations Guado have San suggested Nicola to assemblageto to correspond the to Acheulean. the The Fontana discoveredplace Ranuccio fauna the FU. seems The occupation preliminary between ESR 380hain, and and personal communication, 350 ka, 2012). corresponding to the OIS 10 (J. J. Ba- flakes (partially linkable to opportunistic, discoid and Levallois knapping methods), sev- 5 5 25 15 20 10 20 25 15 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Bison Tsuga for the Cedrus Carpinus erent populations, ff and during OIS 7 and Quercus . The physiography and local cli- erent layers show that the local ff erently closed and semi-open envi- ff Pterocarya Abies and for the montane forest (Bertini, 2010; Cor- 5190 5189 Fagus during OIS 9, Carpinus ect has to be considered. , and ff ering the most economically profitable volume of muscu- ff Carya erent types of environments (Thun Hohenstein et al., 2004, ` Abies a, 2010; Anzidei et al., 2012; Magri and Palombo, 2012). The ff Quercus constituted the main targets (Thun Hohenstein et al., 2009). However, during OIS 2 (Bertini, 2010; Corrado and Magri, 2011; Orain et al., 2012). Zelkova At Notarchirico, the faunal records across the di The faunal remains discovered in the site of Guado San Nicola di Monteroduni, even At La Pineta, the hunting and butchery testimonies clearly indicate that The faunal records of the studied period partially cover two successive MA, from although the semi-open to open ones seem dominating. This singular situation could populations had repetitively exploitedronments almost (Cassoli indi et al.,record 1999; presents Sardella the et same al.,spite type 2006). these of Later, sites repetitive at were exploitationregarding the probably of their Loreto, occupied various the lithic environments, and faunal culturesand de- exploited Tozzi (Barral et by and al., two 2006). Simone, di 1984; Cassoli etif al., preliminary, 1999; also Grifoni attest to a predation oriented towards a diversity of environments, schoetensacki records of several otherwas taxa also from conducted a in2009). di large This panel diversity directly of attests to ecosystemsa the non-anthropic benefit confirm of accumulation that the e environmental hunting diversity, despite lar masse (Cassoli et al., 1999;demonstrated Thun that Hohenstein et hominins al., had 2009).ing already These specimen studies acquired selections, have with active also only predation occasionalthe behaviors, scavenging. hominin It includ- main is predation then strategies possibleexploited, and to even starting to deduce identify from the the earliestto environments the sites. they Regarding predation preferably activities, the mixed environments orientations associated appear towards across closed the to region semi-open (Table ecosystems 2). the middle Galerian (Iserniahuman FU) communities to had the early toespecially Aurelian adapt during (Torre these their in faunal Pietra activitiesliest turnovers. FU). to Subsistence sites Therefore, the behavior (La analysis evolution from Pinetaselected of the the the and faunal ear- species ecosystems, Notarchirico) o highlighted that the local populations mainly main predated taxa identified inhominin each communities site, exploited, and are therefore summarized the in types Table of 2. environments the 2011; Orain et al., 2012). 3.2 Faunal records The numerous faunalbackground assemblages for from inquiring the archaeological subsistenceto sites behavior the of exploited provide environments hominin (Radmilli an communities,et and in al., important Boschian, 2005; relation 1996; Sardella Cassoli et et al.,2009; 2006; al., Boschian Palombo 1999; and and Sacc Raia Sardella, 2007; Thun Hohenstein et al., plains of the Apennines, and(Bertini, then redeveloped 2010; during Corrado the and interglacial Magri,of milder 2011; such conditions Manzi protected basins et of al.,propitious the 2011; Central for Orain and forests et Southern withdrawal, al., Apennines increasingduring 2012). could the Some then the capacity have most been of resilience arid of periods arboreal (Bertini, taxa 2010; Corrado and Magri, 2011; Manzi et al., withstanding low moisture conditions (Corrado andare Magri, 2011). mainly The characterized vegetation by cycles the the interglacial alternation and between glacial APduction episodes and (Suc NAP, of respectively et during AP al.,some during 1995). tree However, the despite taxa such the glacial as clearmate phases, re- conditions it of some is basins(Bertini, worth led 2010; to noting Manzi the et emergence a al., ofof relative 2011; heterogeneous edaphic Orain environments persistence et and/or of al., climatic 2012). humidity The tree persistence taxa during certainly the benefited glacials within step-sided disappeared during OIS 13, and The main trees characterizing interglacialmixed conditions mesophytic are forest, rado and Magri, 2011). The Non Arboreal Pollen (NAP) regroup the herbaceous taxa, Tertiary relicts was not recorded at the same time all along the peninsula. In fact, 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ` a, 2010; Manzi et al., cient model for hominin ffi ` erent chronological and climate con- a, 2010; Anzidei et al., 2012). ff 5192 5191 erent times, although no glacial evidence has been recorded within the archaeolog- Across the entire studied period, hominins globally tended to benefit and to adapt to After the turnover of the late Galerian – early Aurelian MA, the faunal assemblages ff communities settled in Centrallimited and to Southern the Italy. east In and fact, the long west distance by mobility the was Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas, and then would di ical layers (Cassoli etet al., al., 1999; Piperno, 2012).have 1999; Systematic to Palombo dating and be Sardella, and undertakentions 2007; across in measurements glacial Masini order of and to interglacial these phases highlight in archaeological eventual those long layers sites. 4.2 lived or Long repetitive distance occupa- mobility Potential long distance movements do not seem to be an e et al., 1982; Radmilli and Boschian,Rufo 1996; et Piperno, al., 1999; 2009; Palombo and Segre2011; Sardella, Anzidei Naldini 2007; et et al., al., 2012). 2009;of However, the Boschian occupation. Venosa Indeed, and basin Notarchirico sites Sacc and witnessedneous several Loreto phases palaeontological recorded multiple assemblages layers that with heteroge- could reflect succession of occupations at cise hominin settlement (Ascenzi etNomade al., et 1996; al., Scaillet 2011). etNicola al., (i.e. Recently, 2009; OIS lithic Manzi 10) and etlocated attest faunal al., on to remains the 2010; hominin shores discovered occupation offilling, at during a could a Guado river have glacial and favored San the phase. theversity persistence The local of of humidity, site hightighted forested exploitable was communities by environments. and theSan Thus, consequent sedimentary Nicola up di- has clearly to presented datemate evidence phases, no of although long other potential lived taphonomical site occupation processes through could apart have several occurred cli- from (Coltordi Guado Since the two last decades,have new been evidences of highlighted. local The persistence Cepranoslope of skull, human of as communities the well Roccamonfina as theduring volcano, constitute footprint a from well glacial the dated phase BLT in records on Central of the Italy human even presence if they cannot be directly linked to any pre- 4.1 Evidence for glacial occupations environments during the glacial phases. texts. Another important featureavailable in environmental all diversity the for studiedsification subsistence. sites However, of is the the the elongationclose glacial clear and exploitation environments phases inten- of in since the responsevalleys. the to Consequently, Middle the the Pleistocene lack longcould of led term reflect archaeological to aridity site’s records abandonment, the increase, owing duringthe especially reduction to the ecological environmental in of glacial changes. communities, open In episodes hominins fact,flora probably as sustained and a part in fauna of a displacements large as territory the following ecosystems fragmented in a mosaic of micro- 4 Environmental dynamics and human mobility As previously mentioned, thenow Early in Palaeolithic Central archaeological and sitescoherence Southern discovered of Italy up nature and to and dated activities to despite the the Middle di Pleistocene show a global Palombo and Sardella, 2007; Boschian and Sacc the diversity of availableand ecosystems, plasticity regardless of these their hominin communities culturaland certainly tradition. exploit entertained a The their capacity large flexibility to range settle develop of predation environmental strategies conditions taking (Messager thePalombo et and benefits al., Sardella, of 2011b), 2007; this and Thun to diversity Hohenstein (Sardella et et al., al., 2009; 2006; Manzi et al., 2011). However, despite the probable reductionronments of remain their predated. habitats, mammals from closed envi- recorded in the Romaopen basin and sites close are environments, characterized by (Radmilli a and mixed Boschian, exploitation 1996; of Sardella semi- et al., 2006; be linked to the opening of the environments, in response to the glacial conditions. 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Megalo- and ), and also with Axis ` ` a, 2010; Palombo, 2010; a, 2010; Doronichev and (locally with Cervus and 5194 5193 Dama Bison schoetensacki, Bos primigenius ` a, 2010; Palombo, 2010; Anzidei et al., 2012; Magri and Palombo, erent environments. Successive human adaptations to environmental changes ff (Radmilli and Boschian, 1996; Cassoli et al., 1999; Thun Hohenstein et al., However, target changes in response to the progressive opening of ecosystems flexibility and adaptability of environmental exploitation, at local or regional scales. various ecosystems or to directly settlefaunal within diversity. refuge areas propitious to vegetation and could not be excluded,environment considering dwellers the increasing (Radmilliet place and al., and 2006; Boschian, domination Thun Hohenstein 1996; ofAnzidei et the al., Cassoli et 2009; open Boschian et al., and 2012).gressively al., Sacc triggered This 1999; a long-term reorientation Sardella or openenvironment concentration dwellers environment of (Palombo, 2010). human persistence Human predation could response towards could open have then pro- have consisted in Tozzi, 2006; Palombo and Sardella, 2007;Golovanova, Boschian 2010; and Anzidei Sacc et al.,to 2012). The be exploitation an of early such activeSardella, mixed choice, fauna 2007; related appears Thun to Hohenstein thesistence et benefice behaviors al., of applied their 2009; to exploitation Magri large (Palombo territories and and could Palombo, 2012). have triggered Such hominins sub- to exploit and Magri, 2012). Nevertheless,dominant in to all dominant, the mainly studied with forested sites, grassland forest taxa mammal taxa suchceros are as sub- 2004; Sardella et al., 2006; SardellaBoschian and and Palombo, 2007; Sacc Thun Hohenstein2012). et Furthermore, al., 2009; Bovidea are, aftermaterial Elephantidea, in the most the frequently Acheulean used animal bone industry of Central Italy (Peretto, 2006; Grifoni and could then be assumed thatthe these forest local and protected faunal environments communities.trend concentrated of Furthermore, most reduction the of of Italian forestVillafranchian mammals Peninsula MA related shows in to a the open Italian global environment peninsulatent expansion with (Palombo, since 2010). the Such the global assumption environmental dynamics is (Bertini, consis- 2010; Manzi et al., 2011; Palombo are not recorded, probably submerged due to sea level rise (Marturano et al., 2011). It protected Apennines basins (Bertini, 2010;of Orain hominins et along al., the 2012). coastal Potential reinstallations plains have also to be considered. However, such sites et al., 1999; Piperno,the 1999; glacial Palombo phases, and the Sardella, aridityvironments 2007; increase (Bertini, Masini constrained et 2010; vegetation al., Corrado to2012). 2012). and limited At During Magri, favorable least en- 2011; partmain Manzi of ecosystems et the (Palombo, al., 2010). 2011; mammalquence The Orain communities of site hominin et had mobility abandonments al., for also could subsistence,the to following result animal forest migrate, communities, as dwellers, among following some a them their oflocal conse- the conditions certainly most led predated to taxa the formations (Palombo, of 2010). local The ecological diversity refuges of in some of the 4.3 Regional mobility Considering the relativetween continuity 600 of ka and occupations 300 ka,assumption in hominin mobility is Central at supported and regional scale by Southern has the to Italy be repetitive be- considered. occupations This of the Venosa basin (Cassoli after each phase should be detectedhas within not the cultural recorded evolution, but up theGolovanova, to local 2010). evidence date An (Grifoni opposite andlinked to hypothesis Tozzi, 2005; southward could movements Peretto, of be 2006; northernItaly that Doronichev (Grifoni populations and and the towards Tozzi, Central 2005; cultural and Peretto,et 2006; Southern evolution Doronichev al., was and Golovanova, 2011). 2010; Manzi Italian Thus, Peninsula the should have milder constituted attractive climateleading areas to conditions for cultural allochtonous recorded developments populations, and in demographic expansions. Central and Southern tocene was significantly colder andgions, dryer due with to respect its toPalombo latitudinal the and position Southern Sardella, and 2007; and Corrado proximity Centralhave and to re- constrained Magri, the 2011; human Alps Manzi groups ice etcally to al., sheet di fundamentally 2011), (Bertini, and modify 2010; would their behaviors to face radi- have been directed northward. However, Northern Italy climate during the Middle Pleis- 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | from Africa, Annu. Rev. Anthropol., Homo 5196 5195 ´ eenes en Europe occidentale” within the MNHN Transversal Action “Re- The authors thank F. Viehberg and the co-conveners for granted them the from Ceprano, Italy, J. Hum. 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The archaeological material and sedimentary sequences already demonstrated that Bertini, A.: Pliocene to Pleistocene palynoflora and vegetation in Italy: state of the art, Quater- Bar-Yosef, O. and Belmaker, M.: Early and Middle Pleistocene faunalBarral, and L. hominins and dispersals Simone, S.: Venosa – Loreto, Basilicata, in I primi abitanti d’Europa, Catalogo Bar-Yosef, O. and Belfer-Cohen, A.: From Africa to Eurasia – early dispersals, Quaternary Int., Ascenzi, A., Biddittu, I., Cassoli, P. F., Segre, A. G., and Segre Naldini, E.: A calvarium of late Ascenzi, A.: Rinvenimento di dente umano nell’acheuleano inferiore ad Anagni-Fontana Ranuc- Arzarello, M., Marcolini, F., Pavia, G., Pavia, M., Petronio, C., Petrucci, M., Rook, L., and Anzidei, A. P., Bulgarelli, G. M., Catalano, P., Cerilli, E., Gallotti, R.,Arzarello, Lemorini, M. C., and Peretto, Milli, C.: S., Out of Africa: the first evidence of Italian Peninsula occupation, Anton, S. C. and Swisher, C. C.: Early dispersals of References his useful data ondes Fontana occupations Ranuccio. acheul This worklation has Soci been funded bydes the Palynologues project de “Chronologie Langue Franc¸aise”. P. Auguste for his useful clarifications concerning mammal palaeoecology, and A. G. Segre for opportunity to present their researchalso at thank the EGU V. Amato 2012 symposium and “Walking P. of Aucelli Sunshine”. for They their close collaboration on the Boiano sequence study, adapted locally to the openingto up of benefit their from environments the or ambient regionally diversity. could have moved Central and Southern Italiancertainly climate attracted and Northern environmentdemographic during European developments. Further the communities, investigations Middle contributing will Pleistocene deliver provide to key complementary issues data the on to cultural this crucial and topic. Acknowledgements. for a new perspectiveinterruptions drawn in from both the environmental settlementthese and record sites prehistoric could by studies. have theirmunities These resulted prehistoric on from which occupants the they whoCentral abandonment subsisted. and would Southern Considering of have Italy, the followed both the mild local faunal and faunal and temperate com- human conditions communities could in also have hominins settled. Evidence forbeen heterogeneous emphasized environmental by several conditions studies, and have arewhich already supported highlighted by the singular Boiano pollen refuge sequence ecosystems, conditions analyses of for subsistence the behaviors illustrateduring forest part communities. the of Within the Middle hominin these ing strategies Pleistocene. each The interglacial diversity episodetriggered of reflects by exploited key climate ecosystems issues andHowever, recorded regarding the environmental dur- potential changes current hominin lack during mobility of the data preceding for glacial human phase. activity during the glacial episodes calls Middle Pleistocene environmentala data strong from ecological frameworkregional Central scale, to and the study palaeontological Southern hominintextual and data Italy palynological evolution to reconstruct studies and constitute the provide complexity mobility. numerous and At diversity con- of local the environments and in which the 5 Conclusions 5 5 30 25 20 15 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | , J., , J., ı ´ ı ´ ´ epont, J., ´ erieur: le cas ´ es en Italie, BAR Int. ´ eolithique inf ¨ oris, O., Lumley de, M. 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Picea Carya Fagus / and dominant with ` es de l’Union Internationale des Sciences Pr Homo forest decreasing and impoverishing Quercus Progressive augmentation of decidous trees diversity, Coniferous ( Sedimentary fillings of the basin? Abies Local evidences of reworked material, Occasional occurrences of several trees Abies progressing (concentration), around 10%, Hygrophylous locally decreasing (10 to 0%), Mixed decidous forest (with Congr ` ` eres, C., Peretto, C., Arzarello, M., Minelli, A., Thun Hohen- ene d’Anagni (Latium m e ´ eistoc ´ egie d’exploitation du ´ LPZ 3a erieur, L’Anthropologie, 113, 96–110, 2009. Isotopic correlations and summary description of the palynological sequence of the ´ eolithique inf OIS 12 to OIS 10 LPZ 2OIS 13 Herbs dominance with steppic association, LPZ 1 OIS correlationOIS 8 to Pollen OIS zone 2 Pollen signatureOIS 9 LPZ 4 Heterogenous pollen and sedimentary records LPZ 3b Main biome Zollikofer, C.: A new skull of early (Molise, Italie). Strat au Pal Zheng, Z., Bessais, E.,mate and since Ferrier, 5.3 J.: Ma, Structure Acta of Zool. West Cracov., 38, Mediterranean 3–16, vegetation 1995. phological and study cli- of the(Molise, faunal Italy). remains Actes from du XIV theet Lower Protohistoriques, Palaeolithic BAR site Int. of Ser. 1272, Isernia Oxford, La 123–127, Pineta 2004. site, Curr. Anthropol., 25, 230–233, 1984. dans le bassin Plio-Pl 66–77, 2009. stein, U., Dolo, J.-M., Garcia,early T., Middle Frank, Pleistocene N., site and of Douville, Isernia E.: la New Pineta, ESR/U-series Italy, data Radiat. for Meas., the 46, 847–852, 2011. nary Sci. Rev., 28, 1820–1824, 2009. Planet. Sc. Lett., 275, 320–325, 2008. Continuous occurences of local edaphic humidity (attested by hygrophylous plants). ∗ Vekua, A., Lordkipanidze, D., Rightmire, G. P., Agust Table 1. Boiano basin, including main biome deduced from pollen assemblages (from Orain et al., 2012). Thun Hohenstein, U., Di Nucci, A., and Moigne, A.-M.: Mode de vie Suc, J.-P., Bertini, A., Combourieu-Nebout, N., Diniz, F., Leroy, S.Thun A. Hohenstein, G., U., Russo-Ermolli, Malerba, E., G., Giacobini, G., and Peretto, C.: Bone surface micromor- Shao, Q., Bahain, J.-J., Falgu Segre Naldini, E., Muttoni, G., Parenti, F., Scardia, G., and Segre, A. G.: Nouvelles recherches Segre, A. G. and Ascenzi, A.: Fontana Ranuccio: Italy’s earliest Middle Pleistocene hominid Schattner, U. and Lazar, M.: Subduction, collision and initiation of hominin dispersal, Quater- Scaillet, S., Vita-Scaillet, G., and Guillou, H.: Oldest human footprints dated by Ar/Ar, Earth 5 20 15 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ` a (2010); Sardella et al. (2006) unpublished Radmilli and Boschian (1996); Sardella et al. (2006); Palombo and Sardella (2007); Boschian and Sacc Ascenzi (1984); Segre Naldini (2009) Anzidei et al. (2012) Thun Hohenstein et al.Thun (2004); Hohenstein et al. (2009) Cassoli et al. (1999); Sardella et al. (2006) Associations of closed forests and closed grasslands to semi- open woodlands Associations of and closed grasslands to open woodlands, punctually forests Associations of closed forested environments and closed grasslands to open woodlands Associations of closed forested environments and closed grasslands to semi-open woodlands Associations of closed forested environments and closed grasslands to semi-open woodlands Associations of closed forested environments and closed grasslands to semi-open woodlands 5204 5203 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , sp., , , , , , , sp., , , sp., sp., Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis Stephanorhinus hemitoechus Equus mosbachensis Sus scrofa Megaloceros solihacus Cervus elaphus Dama clatoniana Megaloceros verticornis Bos primigenius Bison schoetensacki Hippopotamus amphibius Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus Equus Bos schoetensacki Megaloceros Cervus elaphus Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus Bos primigenius Equus ferus Cervus elaphus Bison schoetensacki Elephas(Palaeoloxodon) antiquus Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus Bison schoetensacki Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis Megaloceros solihacus Cervus elaphus Dama clatoniana Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus Dama clatoniana Cervus elaphus Praemegaceros Axis Bos primigenius Bison schoetensacki ) + Summary of the main taxa recorded on each studied site and the associated exploited Location of the studied archaeological sites and palynological sequences. Roma Basin sites (Torre in Pietra FU, OIS9) Guado San Nicola (Fontana Ran. FU, OIS 10) Loreto (Isernia FU, OIS 13) Fontana Ranuccio (Fontana Ran. FU, OIS 11) Notarchirico (Isernia FU, OIS 15 Site (Biozone)La Pineta (Isernia FU, OIS 15) Recorded taxa Main exploited environments References Fig. 1. environments. Table 2. Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ). N, 0  29 ◦ 5206 5205 Location, geological and morphotectonic contexts of the Boiano basin (49 E; ca. 500 m a.s.l.) and of the main close sedimentary basins of the Molise region Synthetic pollen diagram of core S6 from Boiano, with position of barren samples ( 0 28 ◦ Taxa are grouped according to their ecological significance (after Orain et al., 2012). Fig. 3. 14 (from Aucelli et al.,(Miocene), 2011). 3/ 1/ Clays, Fluviopalustrine marlsstones, deposits dolomites, and marls (Quaternary), limestones of 2/sicMiocene), of carbonate 5/ Siliciclastic Sannio Main plateform deposits thrusts, (Upper (a) 6/ CretaceousMiocene), and Main 4/ extensional carbonate faults. Lime- slope deposits (b) (Trias- Fig. 2. Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | 5207 Synthetic diagram of the studied palynological sequences, presenting the dynamics of Fig. 4. the main taxa for the studied period (Modified from Manzi et al., 2011).