Attesting neanderthal dwelling space use: effects of human occupations in the middle palaeolithic record of fumane cave
The debate over Neanderthal subsistence patterns and behavioural aspects is source of many discussions and scieThe debate over Neanderthal subsistence patterns and behavioural aspects is source of many discussions and scientific contributions. Research over the last ten years has produced new data on mobility, economic strategies and life-aspects of Neanderthals, that have changed and enriched the comprehension of the material record of these ancestors. The project entitled “Attesting Neanderthal Dwelling Space Use: effects of human occupations in the Middle Palaeolithic record of Fumane cave” (ANDSU) will address the identification of changes in Neanderthal subsistence patterns across the analysis of the late mousterian sequence of Fumane cave (44-47.6 ka cal BP) (Verona, Italy). ANDSU will overcome the traditional limits of scientific research through specific objectives: identify Neanderthal spatial patterns, site function, temporality (or not) of activity areas and hearths and lengths and number of occupation(s)/event(s). An integrated multidisciplinary research methodology that has never been proposed until today, will be useful to address the aforementioned objectives and enhance the state-of the-art. Based on bone refits, Spatial Archaeology, multivariate Statistic techniques and 3D modeling reconstruction the project emerge for its combined high-innovative methodologies. The experimentation of 3D scan of bones will provide an important step for the attempt to automatically, or semi-automatically refit of faunal assemblages. , would radically transform zooarchaeological research methods. On the base of these premises, ANDSU focuses on the crucial need to extend our knowledge about Middle Palaeolithic record and to understand the range of Neanderthal variability. Also, it is expected to open up new perspectives to know the life-ways of Fumane inhabitants and to understand their cultural relationships, compared with Neanderthal groups of other European regions.