Intra-Site Analysis of the Palaeolithic Site of Isernia La Pineta (, )

1 1 Carlo Peretto , Marta Arzarello , Rosalia Gallotti1, Giuseppe Lembo2, Antonella Minelli2 and Ursula Thun Hohenstein1

1 Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Dipartimento delle Risorse Naturali e Culturali [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 2Università degli Studi del Molise, Facoltà di Scienze Umane e Sociali [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract. The site of Isernia La Pineta is characterised by the presence of several anthropic layers set within a complex stratigraphic sequence. The highest concentration of palaeontological and palaeoethnological finds is documented on archaeosurface 3a, which has so far been explored over an area of several hundred metres. In order to develop the investigations concerning the processes and stages of its formation, a context of intra-site spatial analyses has been applied, using a GIS application. In the specific case of Isernia La Pineta, this application has also encouraged experimentation with new computerised documentation techniques. Keywords: intra-site spatial analysis, GIS, archaeosurfaces, Lower Palaeolithic

1. Introduction sediments (Unit 5) covered by an altered, eroded travertine bank (Unit 4), on top of which lies the oldest archaeosurface The remarkably rich, complex archaeological assemblage (3c). This is buried by muddy-clayey alluvial deposits, max. unearthed in the Palaeolithic deposit of Isernia La Pineta one metre thick (3b), completely devoid of remains apart from represents an ideal opportunity for applying a global computer the presence of unidentified vegetable remains. The level system, in this case a Geographical Information System. This represents the deepest part of a series of fluvial and pyroclastic app lication helps researchers to solve problems such as deposits, divided into different facies (Unit 3). Lying on 3b is handling the sheer quantity of data; moreover, from an inter- the second archaeosurface, by far the richest in remains disciplinary viewpoint, it contributes to resolving interpretative explored in Sector 1, indicated as 3a. Abundant evidence aspects regarding the significance of accu mulations and connected with human activity is present here, comprising concentrations of materials highlighted during excavations. thousands of selected, deliberately fractured faunal bones, Besides methodological reasons, the use of a GIS as together with limestone and flint lithic tools (Sala 1996; Peretto integrated system was directed toward the processing of 1994, 1999). This archaeological level is buried by a mudflow various types of intra-site analyses, applied to the rich in pyroclastic material, connected with intense volcanic archaeosurface richest in remains (3a) as well as the deposits activity. This is followed in rapid succession by fluvial deposits covering it (3 colluvium). The aim was to analyse and of clay, mud and gravel, about 3 metres in thickness. Within tentatively interpret the distribution patterns of the these sediments a third archaeosurface has been detected, archaeological remains, from both two-dimensional and indicated as 3S10. At the top (Units 2 and 1), pedogenetic three-dimensional viewpoints. Distribution phenomena were alteration phenomena are clearly evident, covered by levels of identified by thematic mapping, while trends of volcanic ash (Cremaschi 1983; Cremaschi and Peretto, 1988). concentration/dispersion of materials were obtained through The radiometric analyses (K/Ar) performed on sanidine multi-dimensional analyses and stratigraphic relationships, crystals collected from the sediments covering palaeosurface and by visualising longitudinal and transverse profiles: 3a have given the date of 0.736±0.04 MA from the present preliminary ‘guidelines’ thus emerged for drawing up models (Delitala et alii, 1983). This is in good agreement with the of material deposition and of human presence in the deposit in datings performed at the Amsterdam laboratory (Sevink et relation to all the evidence considered. alii, 1981): 0.68±0.06 MA and 0.73±0.07 MA for a sample collected from a marker bed from the fossiliferous horizon. Datings carried out on tuffs from Unit 1 (K/Ar) provided dates 2. The Deposit of 0.55±0.05 MA and 0.47±0.05 MA at the Rome laboratory, and 0.57 MA at the Amsterdam laboratory. Isernia La Pineta is included in the continental Pleistocene de- Recent 40Ar/39Ar datings performed on sanidine crystals posits forming the Pleistocene sediments of the Isernia- coming from the sediments containing 3a have given an age infra-Apennine basin, situated in the Upper valley. of 610±10 and 606±2 Ka (results from two laboratories, Nice The base is characterised by mainly sandy-muddy lacustrine and Geneva) (Coltorti et alii, in press).

201 Carlo Peretto, Marta Arzarello, Rosalia Gallotti, Giuseppe Lembo, Antonella Minelli and Ursula Thun Hohenstein

3. New Methods of Collecting Data 4. The Intra-Site Analyses

The construction of a pavilion covering the excavation site, The decision to use a Geographical Information System for completed in 1999, has made it possible to set up a permanent, handling the excavation data and as a means of processing the computerised theodolite for recording the coordinates of the spatial analyses has favoured the organisation of an immense archaeological remains, with the organisation of a computer- quantity of information. Indeed, thanks to its characteristics of based workstation. creating links between alphanumeric and graphic data, GIS is, This equipment has directed research work towards a fresh so far, the most appropriate computer-based instrument for the approach in the utilisation of computers for archaeological ex - global, simultaneous treatment of all information concerning cavation: i.e. the processing of information does not represent an archaeological excavation. Besides, thanks to its the final phase, but instead follows the work throughout its topological functions, it allows a computerised model to be various stages, from excavation to the final interpretation. created which is able to reproduce the relationships between The aim is to obtain a more immediate management and the diverse elements of a system – in this case, a Lower utilisation of the data at our disposal, in order to assess the Palaeolithic site– and it can be constantly reutilised and informative and analytical qualities of an information system modified as investigations progress. applied directly onsite. This has involved a reorganisation of The logical and physical structure used in the description and documentation methods, attempting above all to speed up data organisation of the informative levels is aimed at achieving collection, as the times involved in excavations of complex, the following research objectives: abundant archaeosurfaces tend to be extremely long l conversion of archives on paper; (Arzarello et al. 2003). l two-dimensional and three-dimensional location and The first stage in the computerised recording of data consisted visualisation of all remains unearthed; of a review of the already-existing database (Peretto et al. l treatment of the archaeological material as spatial 2000), utilising the present systems of RDBMS (Relational variables; Data Base Management System), in this case the Microsoft l spatial queries to attempt to reconstruct natural and/or Office package Access. anthropic post-depositional processes – where these have The database contains the same number of tables as the typo- been responsible for transformation of the original logies of forms used for cataloguing the material (excavation, deposits – and the modalities of human presence at the lithic artefacts, fauna); each table contains specific data, but sites, by taking apart the spatial distributions and putting which can be connected with one another. The photographic them together again, as well as the creation of single or archive has been separately structured, arranged according to combined maps and thematic sections; the subject (excavation, sifting, washing, restoration, etc.). l statistical inference of spatial data (analyses of frequency From 2002 onwards, the system used for acquiring excavation and density) to detect the likely presence of significant planimetries has been specifically organised to speed up the associations and relationships between the different various documentation stages. In view of the considerable categories of materials, potentially indicative of the amount of remains and the need to display them – particularly presence of functional areas. those from the richest archaeosurface, 3a – it was decided to The logical structure has been specifically devised so that it follow an excavation protocol which requires the use of does not reflect any subjective interpretation in the digitally restituted photography, thus ensuring a precise organisation of the spatial data. The starting-point, then, is registration of the position of finds despite their high based on the opportunity of structuring the spatial data and concentration. The support of the total station also favours variables just as they have been recorded during excavations, recording of the planimetric coordinates of the remains. An without projecting onto them any interpretative content. important step at the excavation stage is that of documenting In order to achieve the objectives listed above, the spatial the orientation and inclination, in degrees, of each find, which analyses taken into consideration were directed towards the goes to form the basis for its computerised image performed drawing-up of thematic maps, frequency and relationship in AutoCad. The digital photograph, in fact, which adopts a maps, density maps, longitudinal, transverse and oblique specially designed software package for restitution (Rollei sections, together with the projection of remains found. Metric), is later acquired in AutoCad; the individual finds are Archaeosurface 3a of Sector 1, the layer yielding the most redrawn, vectorialised with a layer identified by specific code finds, was investigated over an area of ca 200 sq. m; the number, then reproduced in their exact location, just as they remains were sometimes greatly concentrated and were found on the excavation surface. This method has superimposed (Fig. 1). Part of this archaeosurface (approx. 70 undoubtedly reduced planimetric documentation times, has sq. m.) was removed and partially reconstructed, for provided an optimal answer to the management of deposits exhibition purposes, in the Museo di Santa Maria delle similarly dense in archaeological material, and has Monache at Isernia, while the remaining part has been considerably reduced the errors that may occur in manual restored onsite, and can be visited inside the excavation drawing during excavation, by several different hands. pavilion (Fig. 2). Since the remains have been left in place for The particular, almost unprecedented situation offered by a exhibition purposes, an exhaustive record of data throughout museum with excavations on view to visitors has made it the entire archaeological level. Further limitations are possible to test and improve the informative qualities of the imposed by the removed portion of the same archaeosurface, computerised equipment. due to the fact that the quotas have been recorded by

202 Intra-Site Analysis of the Palaeolithic Site of Isernia La Pineta (Molise, Italy)

Fig. 2. Isernia La Pineta. Archaeosurface 3a, Sector 1. Shown in grey: area removed and partly reconstructed in the Museo di Santa Fig. 1. Isernia La Pineta. Archaeosurface 3a. Sector 1, quadrant 1, Maria delle Monache at Isernia; in white: untouched area, presently squares 20–22/30–33 (photograph: A. Guerreschi). on view inside the excavation pavilion.. photogrammetric survey, but have not yet been transformed with the fracturing and alteration of the underlying travertine into numerical information and entered into the present data- (Unit 4), also allowing the formation of circular-shaped bank. For the same reasons, analysis of the spatial distribution sunken areas close to one another, measuring an average of remains is presented exclusively two-dimensionally. diameter of 3–4 metres. The archaeosurface directly overlies the travertine in the SW These factors have damaged the integrity of archaeosurface 3a part of the explored area, whereas – proceeding towards NE – in certain areas, so that the faunal remains are sometimes it rests on layer 3b, of fluvial-lacustrine origin. Diverse broken in many pieces due to compression and stretching; depositional mechanisms of non-anthropic nature have caused these data are of fundamental importance when it comes to materials to become dislocated; this appears to have been drawing the final conclusions on the distribution and meaning partly caused by a series of settlement movements connected of the entire archaeological layer.

Fig. 3. Isernia La Pineta, archaeosurface 3a, Sector 1. Distribution of all finds.

203 Carlo Peretto, Marta Arzarello, Rosalia Gallotti, Giuseppe Lembo, Antonella Minelli and Ursula Thun Hohenstein

The finds of archaeosurface 3a unearthed till now number clearly compromised the location of materials, even if their 18,166, of which 1,915 are in limestone, 1,907 in flint, 6,934 physical state testifies that considerable stretching, in bone and 7,410 in travertine: the last-mentioned group do compression and deformation took place; not present any traces of utilisation or intentional modification the overall distribution trend is more homogeneous in the area (Fig. 3). From a planimetric viewpoint, the overall distri - still in its original location, whereas the completely removed bution of remains does not appear uniform throughout the portion delineates different situations, i.e. parts where the entire surface; in fact, densely concentrated areas alternate concentration and clustering of remains is considerable with with others where the presence of both lithic and faunal respect to others where the materials are dispersed and remains is less significant. diminish noticeably in size. The latter phenomenon can be It should be pointed out once again that part of archaeosurface clearly seen in the eastern part of the removed area, and 3a has been removed and part is still in its original location, appears to reflect the distribution trend of the finds within the with only the surface exposed, so that it has not been level. A thinning-out of materials can also be observed in the investigated throughout its thickness. Since the concentration portion left intact, in its northward direction. In the latter case and dispersion of materials are affected by the interpolation of this trend may be connected with its partial excavation; their vertical distribution, it is only in the case of the entirely nevertheless, it should be noted that the sondage performed excavated area that the clustering phenomena can effectively immediately outside the pavilion, along the northward reproduce the situation. Consequently, although distribution directrix, has documented a general and gradual decrease in of the various categories of remains is visualised with maps the number of archaeological remains in this direction. reproducing the entire extension of the archaeosurface, Whether this distribution trend between the unremoved area analysis of their reciprocal spatial relationships must be and the sondage is discontinuous or not may only be constantly related to the different excavation situations. ascertained as investigations progress; On the basis of the analyses so far conducted on the different if the distribution trends are considered according to the raw spatial trends of the remains, considered according to each material, the most significant evidence can be found in the raw material, the distributive features of the archaeosurface remarkable number of flint remains in quadrant 2 compared can be summed up as follows: with both the other categories and with the rest of the the geological settlement connected with the underlying archaeosurface (Fig. 4). The great majority of these have been travertine (Unit 4) present in quadrants 2 and 3 – which knapped; the quantity of unknapped pieces is numerically caused the formation of sub-circular sunken areas – have insignificant. A similar situation, though much less

Fig. 4. Isernia La Pineta, archaeosurface 3a, Sector 1. Top left: areas of density of limestone finds; top right: areas of density of palaeontological remains; bottom left: areas of density of flint finds; bottom right: areas of density of travertine finds.

204 Intra-Site Analysis of the Palaeolithic Site of Isernia La Pineta (Molise, Italy)

Fig. 5. Isernia La Pineta, archaeosurface 3a, Sector 1. Distribution of limestone finds. significant, is present in an area very close to border E of the and 88 of square 1. Elephant remains do not pre sent notice able untouched portion. In the rest of the archaeosurface the ratios dis tributions in relation to the anatomical part, whereas there is between the various raw materials remain generally constant; a striking concentration of bison crania especially in the the limestone finds present a distribution difference based on maximum density area of the removed portion, although their dimension (Fig. 5), also observed (to a lesser extent) in number is considerable also throughout the rest of the unknapped flint and travertine blanks. The largest-sized finds archaeosurface (Fig. 6). Even more noteworthy is the presence are located along a N–S direction in the W part of the of rhinoceros crania and single teeth, particularly if one archaeosurface left in place; proceeding eastwards, however, considers the numerical disproportion of the latter compared to the dimensions of remains in limestone decrease noticeably; other anatomical segments. Rather unusual the distribution of the palaeontological remains do not appear to be placed rhinoceros remains on the whole, mostly located in the differently according to a dimensional scale. A particular removed area. concentration is visible within an area of approx. 16 sq. m. Besides, the distribution of remains in archaeosurface 3a very close to the W margin of square 1, whose circular edges appears dislocated, at least superficially, from its original are in fact delineated by the diverse excavation situations. While it is not possible to pose questions about the meaning of this accumulation in relation to the area left in place, there is nonetheless a clear difference between this area and the remaining part of the removed portion, which does not present either particular concentrations or marked superpositions. This concentration of palaeontological remains, however, also corresponds to the area revealing maximum density of travertine, limestone and flint, excluding – in the last case – the area of square 2 mentioned above; spatial analysis in relation to different species is greatly com- promised by the high percentage of undetermined finds. Considering the distribution of the three most representative species – bison, elephant and rhinoceros – their overall dimi - nution is clearly visible close to the N–E border of the portion left in place, and eastward in the removed portion, apart from Fig. 6. Isernia La Pineta, archaeosurface 3a, Sector 1. Distribution the presence of bison cranial remains between squares 77–79 of bison finds.

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(eds), Isernia La Pineta: un accampamento più antico di 700.000 anni. Catalogo della omonima mostra, Bologna, Calderini Editore. 49–62. Cremaschi, M. and Peretto, C. 1988. Les sols d’habitat du site paleolithique d’Isernia La Pineta (Molise, Italie centrale). Fig. 7. Isernia La Pineta, 3 colluvium. Transverse section showing L’Anthropologie 92 4, 1017–1040. the projection of all remains. Delitala, M. C., Fornaseri, M. and Nicoletti, M., 1983. Data - zioni argon-potassio di Isernia La Pineta (Molise). Atti position due to the arrival of the debris-flow (3 colluvium), XXX Riun. Scient. I.I.P.P. 197–210. which covers it (Fig. 7). Peretto, C. (ed.), 1994. Le industrie litiche del giacimento This layer has proved extremely rich in archaeological finds paleolitico di Isernia La Pineta. La tipologia, le tracce di (7,391 remains over 46 sq. m. of area explored). Further utilizzazione, la sperimentazione. Istituto Regionale per enlightenment on this area and its relationship with archaeo - gli Studi del Molise “V. Cuoco”, Cosmo Iannone Editore, surface 3a is expected from the continuation of exploration Isernia. work. Peretto, C. (ed.), 1999. I suoli di abitato del giacimento paleo - litico di Isernia La Pineta: natura e distribuzione dei re - perti. Istituto Regionale per gli Studi del Molise “V. References Cuoco”, Cosmo Iannone Editore, Isernia. Peretto, C., Benvenuto, C., Bisi, F., Cavallini, E., Corti, P., Arzarello, M., Gallotti, R., Lembo, G., Minelli, A., Thun Evangelista, L., Ferioli, V., Guerreschi, A., Longo, L., Hohen stein, U. and Peretto, C., 2003. Metodologie infor - Milliken, S., Thun Hohenstein, U. and Vullo, N., 2000. matiche applicate allo studio delle archeosuperfici di Isernia La Pineta (Molise): type and distribution of the Isernia La Pineta (Molise, Italia). In Peretto, C. (ed.), finds on the living floor 3a in sector I of the excavation. Analisi informatizzata e trattamento dati delle strutture di Atti del II Congresso Internazionale CNR. Parigi 1999. abitato di età preistorica e protostorica in Italia. Istituto Edizioni Elsevier, II, 995–8. Italiano di Preistoria e Protostoria, Collana Origini, Sala, B., 1996. Gli animali del giacimento di Isernia La Firenze, 19–34. Pineta. In Peretto, C. (ed.), I reperti paleontologici di Coltorti, M., Feraud, G., Marzoli, A., Ton-That, T., Voinchet, Isernia La Pineta. L’Uomo e l’ambiente. Istituto regionale P., Bahain, J.-J., Minelli, A., Thun Hohenstein, U. and per gli studi storici del Molise “V. Cuoco”, Isernia, Cosmo Peretto, C., 2003 in stampa. New 40Ar/39Ar, stratigraphic Iannone Editore. 87–186. and palaeoclimatic data on the Isernia la Pineta lower Sevink, J., Hebeda, E. H., Priem, N. A. and Verschure, R. H., palaeolithic site, Molise, Italy. Quaternary International. 1981. A note on an approximately 730,000 year-old mam- Cremaschi, M., 1983. La serie pleistocenica di Isernia La mal fauna and associated human activity sites near Isernia, Pineta (Molise) e la posizione stratigrafica dei suoli Central Italy. Journal of Archaeological Science 8, d’abitato paleolitici in essa inclusi. In Peretto, C. et al. 105–106.

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