Available online http://amq.aiqua.it ISSN (print): 2279-7327, ISSN (online): 2279-7335 Alpine and Mediterranean Quaternary, 33 (1), 2020, 115-132 https://doi.org/10.26382/AMQ.2020.13 THE LOWER AND MIDDLE PALAEOLITHIC SETTLEMENTS IN THE BALDO-LESSINI MOUNTAINS. RESULTS FROM A GIS INVESTIGATION. Davide Margaritora1, Alessandro Dozio1, Giorgio Chelidonio1, Maria Chiara Turrini1, 1, 2 Marco Peresani 1 Università di Ferrara, Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Sezione di Scienze Preistoriche e Antropologiche, Ferrara, Italy. 2 Istituto di Geologia Ambientale e Geoingegneria, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milano, Italy. Corresponding author: Marco Peresani <
[email protected]> ABSTRACT: On the Monti Lessini and the Monte Baldo, two mountain areas of the Veneto Pre-Alps, studies grounded on human ecology, landscape use and site catchment analysis are still sparse or standing at a preliminary state. A factor of bias is the limita- tion of the archaeological record that was subject to many paleoenvironment processes, compromising its conservation, with sub- stantial loss of information in the open-air sites. In order to shed light on the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic settlements in these sectors we apply GIS analysis of location features, as a support provided by the methodological innovation in archaeological re- search. The analysis is significant for the comprehension of territoriality and also provides tools available for the protection of ar- chaeological and cultural heritage in these areas. Site location preferences are the result of a complex decision-making process. Using a methodology based on territorial and employment parameters, already successfully applied in other contributions, the results obtained are key issues in the understanding of subsistence strategies, territorial occupation and settlement patterns during the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic.