Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Human behavior and Homo-mammal interactions at the first European peopling: new evidence from the Pirro Nord site (Apricena, Southern Italy)

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
The Science of Nature Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Correction to this article was published on 28 July 2020

This article has been updated

Abstract

Recent functional and zooarchaeological studies conducted on the archeological finds of Pirro Nord (PN13) produced new, reliable data on early European hominid subsistence activities. The age of the site is estimated to be ~ 1.3–1.6 Ma, based on bio-chronological data, and the archeological excavation of the Pirro Nord 13 fissure led to the discovery of more than 300 lithic artifacts associated with thousands of vertebrate fossil remains of the final Villafranchian (Pirro Nord Faunal Unit). The analysis of the fossil faunal remains allowed for the identification of anthropogenic traces linked to the exploitation of different animal carcass (cut marks and intentional bone breakages). Use-wear traces were also observed on some flint artifacts and have been interpreted as the result of the exploitation of animal resources by early hominids and carnivores. It has not been possible to identify the type of access that hominins developed on the carcasses, although it has been established that the hominins competed with carnivores for animal resources. The stone tools and faunal remains with anthropogenic traces recovered in the PN13 fissure represent among the earliest evidence of hominin faunal exploitation in Europe.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

Change history

  • 28 July 2020

    In the original publication of this article, one of the author names was incorrectly captured. The first name should be Razika, then family name should be Chelli���Cheheb.

References

  • Alberdi MT, Palombo MR (2013) The Early Pleistocene Equidae from Pirro Nord (Apricena, Southern Italy). Palaeontographica Abt A: Palaeozoology - Stratigraphy 298(1–6):147–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Álvarez C, Parés JM, Granger D, Duval M, Sala R, Toro I (2015) New magnetostratigraphic and numerical age of the Fuente Nueva-3 site (Guadix-Baza basin, Spain). Quat Int 389:224–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.04.044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews P (1995) Experiments in Taphonomy. J Archaeol Sci 22(4):147–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angelone C (2013) Fossil Lagomorpha from Pirro Nord (Apulia, southern Italy). Palaeontogr Abt A 298(1–6):95–105. https://doi.org/10.1127/pala/298/2013/95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arzarello M, Marcolini F, Pavia G, Pavia M, Petronio C, Petrucci M, Rook L, Sardella R (2007) Evidence of earliest human occurrence in Europe: the site of Pirro Nord (southern Italy). Naturwissenschaften 94:107–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arzarello M, Marcolini F, Pavia G, Pavia M, Petronio C, Petrucci M, Rook L, Sardella R (2009) L’industrie lithique du site Pléistocéne inférieur de Pirro Nord (Apricena, Italie du sud): une occupation humaine entre 1,3 et 1,7 Ma. Anthropologie 113(1):47–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anthro.2009.01.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arzarello M, Pavia G, Peretto C, Petronio C (2012) Evidence of an Early Pleistocene hominin presence at Pirro Nord (Apricena, Foggia, southern Italy): P13 site. Quat Int 267:56–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2011.01.042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arzarello M, Peretto C, Moncel MH (2015) The Pirro Nord site (Apricena, Fg, southern Italy) in the context of the first European peopling: convergences and divergences. Quat Int 389:255–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2014.08.051

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arzarello M, De Weyer L, Peretto C (2016) The first European peopling and the Italian case: Peculiarities and “opportunism.”. Quat Int 393:41–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.11.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baena J, Lordkipanidze D, Cuartero F, Ferring R, Zhvania D, Martín D et al (2010) Technical and technological complexity in the beginning: the study of Dmanisi lithic assemblage. Quaternary International Oldest Human Expansions in Eurasia: Favouring and Limiting Factors 223–224:45–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagnus, C. (2011). Analisi tafonomica delle associazioni a vertebrati del Pleistocene inferiore di Pirro Nord. Turin

  • Barsky D, Celiberti V, Cauche D, Grégoire S, Lebègue F, de Lumley H, Toro-Moyano I (2010) Raw material discernment and technological aspects of the Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3 stone assemblages (Orce southern Spain). Quat Int 223–224:201–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2009.12.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bedetti C (2003) Le avifaune fossili del Plio-Pleistocene italiano: sistematica, paleoecologia ed elementi di biocronologia. Università “La Sapienza” Roma

  • Bedetti C, Pavia M (2013) Early Pleistocene birds from Pirro Nord (Puglia, southern Italy). Palaeontographica Abt. A: Palaeozoology - Stratigraphy 298:31–53. https://doi.org/10.1127/pala/298/2013/31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behrensmeyer AK (1978) Taphonomic and ecologic information from bone weathering. Paleobiology 4(2):150–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bermúdez de Castro JM, Martinón-Torres M, Robles AG, Prado L, Carbonell E (2010) New human evidence of the Early Pleistocene settlement of Europe, from Sima del Elefante site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain). Quat Int 223–224:431–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2009.07.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berruti GLF (2017) Use-wear analysis of discoid-conception lithic industries. Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real

    Google Scholar 

  • Berruti GLF & Daffara S (2014) Theory and methods of the use wear analyisis of the lithic tools. The example of the arrowhead from the Morgado superior Cave (Tomar, PT). Antrope, 221–242

  • Beyries, S. (1987). Variabilité de l’industrie lithique au Moustérien: approche fonctionnelle sur quelques gisements français. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports International Series 328

  • Binford LR (1981) Bone ancient men and modern myths. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Blain H-A, Delfino M, Berto C, Arzarello M (2016) First record of Pelobates syriacus (Anura, Amphibia) in the early Pleistocene of Italy. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments 96(1):111–124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-015-0220-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blasco R, Rosell J (2009) Who was the first? An experimental application of carnivore and hominid overlapping marks at the Pleistocene archaeological sites. Comptes Rendus Palevol 8(6):579–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blumenschine RJ, Selvaggio MM (1998) Percussion marks on bone surfaces as a new diagnostic of hominid behaviour. Nature 34(6):565–607. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1998.0216

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boëda É, Hou Y-M (2011) Analyse des artefacts lithiques du site de Longgupo. L’Anthropologie 115(1):78–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anthro.2010.12.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourguignon L, Crochet J-Y, Capdevila R, Ivorra J, Antoine P-O, Agustí J, Barsky D, Blain HA, Boulbes N, Bruxelles L, Claude J, Cochard D, Filoux A, Firmat C, Lozano-Fernández I, Magniez P, Pelletier M, Rios-Garaizar J, Testu A, Valensi P, de Weyer L (2016) Bois-de-Riquet (Lézignan-la-Cèbe, Hérault): a late Early Pleistocene archeological occurrence in southern France. Quat Int 393:24–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.06.037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown WAB, Chapman NG (1991) The dentition of red deer (Cervus elaphus): a scoring scheme to assess age from wear of the permanent molariform teeth. J Zool 224(4):519–536. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1991.tb03783.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buccheri F, Bertè DF, Luigi G, Berruti F, Cáceres I, Volpe L et al (2016) Tapphonomic analysis on fossil remains from the Ciota Ciara (Piedimont, Italy) and a new evidence of cave bear and wolf exploitation with simple quartz flakes by Neanderthal. Research in Paleontology and Stratigraphy 122(November):41–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunn HT (1986) Patterns of skeletal representation and hominid subsistence activities at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, and Koobi Fora, Kenya. J Hum Evol 15(8):673–690. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0047-2484(86)80004-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bunn H, Harris JWK, Isaac G, Kaufulu Z, Kroll E, Schick K et al (1980) FxJj50: an Early Pleistocene site in northern Kenya. Taylor & Francis, Ltd., World Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.2307/124398

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Burbidge CI, Trindade MJ, Dias MI, Oosterbeek L, Scarre C, Rosina P, Cruz A, Cura S, Cura P, Caron L, Prudêncio MI, Cardoso GJO, Franco D, Marques R, Gomes H (2014) Luminescence dating and associated analyses in transition landscapes of the alto ribatejo, Central Portugal. Quat Geochronol 20:65–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2013.11.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cáceres I (2002) Tafonomía de yacimientos antrópicos en Karst. In: Complejo Galería (Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos), Vanguard Cave (Gibraltar) y Abric Romaní (Capellades, Barcelona). University of, Tarragona

    Google Scholar 

  • Capaldo SD (1995) Inferring hominid and carnivore behavior from dual patterned archaeofaunal assemblages. Rutgers University

  • Capaldo SD, Blumenschine RJ (1994) A quantitative diagnosis of notches made by hammerstone percussion and carnivore gnawing on bovid long bones. Am Antiq 59(04):724–748. https://doi.org/10.2307/282345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carbonell E, García-Antón MD, Mallol C, Mosquera M, Ollé, a, Rodríguez, X. P., et al. (1999) The TD6 level lithic industry from Gran Dolina, Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain): production and use. J Hum Evol 37:653–693. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1999.0336

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carbonell E, Bermúdez de Castro JM, Parés JM, Pérez-González A, Cuenca-Bescós G, Ollé A, Mosquera M, Huguet R, van der Made J, Rosas A, Sala R, Vallverdú J, García N, Granger DE, Martinón-Torres M, Rodríguez XP, Stock GM, Vergès JM, Allué E, Burjachs F, Cáceres I, Canals A, Benito A, Díez C, Lozano M, Mateos A, Navazo M, Rodríguez J, Rosell J, Arsuaga JL (2008) The first hominin of Europe. Nature 452(7186):465–469. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06815

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colopi F (2016) Le faune villafranchiane di Pirro 13 (Apricena, Puglia). Università di Ferrara

  • Coppens Y (2017) Les derniers préhumains et les premiers humains. Comptes Rendus Palevol 16(2):196–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CRPV.2016.04.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cruz, A., & Berruti, G. L. F. (2015). Use-wear analysis of the knapped lithic grave goods from Gruta Do Morgado Superior ( Tomar , Portugal ), (October), 81–94

  • De Giuli F, Masini F, Torre D (1986) The latest Villafranchian faunas in Italy: the Pirro Nord Fauna (Apricena, Gargano). Palaeontographia Italica 74:51–62

    Google Scholar 

  • de Lombera-Hermida A, Rodríguez-Alvarez X-P, Peña L, Sala Ramos R, Despriée J, Moncel M-H et al (2016) The lithic assemblage from Pont-de-Lavaud (Indre, France) and the role of the bipolar-on-anvil technique in the Lower and Early Middle Pleistocene technology. J Anthropol Archaeol 41:159–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2015.12.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Lumley H, Fournier A, Krzepkowska J, Echassoux A (1988) L’industrie du Plèistocène inférieur de la grotte du Vallonet, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes. L’anthropologie 92:501–614

    Google Scholar 

  • Delaney-Rivera C, Plummer TW, Hodgson JA, Forrest F, Hertel F, Oliver JS (2009) Pits and pitfalls: taxonomic variability and patterning in tooth mark dimensions. J Archaeol Sci 36(11):2597–2608. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JAS.2009.08.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delfino M, Atzori M (2013) An update on the Early Pleistocene herpetofauna from Pirro Nord. Palaeontographica Abt. A: Palaeozoology - Stratigraphy 298(1–6):19–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Delfino M, Bailon S (2000) Early pleistocene herpetofauna from Cava Dell’Erba and Cava Pirro (Apulia, Southern Italy). Herpetol J 10(3)

  • Dennell RW (2008a) The taphonomic record of Upper Siwalik (Pinjor stage) landscapes in the Pabbi Hills, northern Pakistan, with consideration regarding the preservation of hominin remains. Quat Int 192(1):62–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.QUAINT.2007.06.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dennell RW (2008b) June. Human Migration and Occupation of Eurasia, Episodes

    Google Scholar 

  • Dennell RW (2015) The Jaramillo Subchron, a geochronological marker horizon in the palaeoanthropological record of China. Quat Int 389:241–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2014.11.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Despriée J, Gageonnet R, Voinchet P, Bahain JJ, Falguères C, Varache F, Courcimault G, Dolo JM (2006) Une occupation humaine au Pléistocène inférieur sur la bordure nord du Massif Central. Comptes Rendu PALEVOL 5:821–828

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Despriée J, Voinchet P, Tissoux H, Arzarello M, Robin S, Bahain J-J et al (2010) Lower and middle Pleistocene human settlements in the Middle Loire River Basin, Centre Region, France. Quat Int 223:345–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2009.07.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domı́nguez-Rodrigo M (1997) Meat-eating by early hominids at the FLK 22Zinjanthropussite, Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania): an experimental approach using cut-mark data. J Hum Evol 33(6):669–690. https://doi.org/10.1006/JHEV.1997.0161

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Barba R (2006) New estimates of tooth mark and percussion mark frequencies at the FLK Zinj site: the carnivore-hominid-carnivore hypothesis falsified. J Hum Evol 50(2):170–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHEVOL.2005.09.005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Piqueras A (2003) The use of tooth pits to identify carnivore taxa in tooth-marked archaeofaunas and their relevance to reconstruct hominid carcass processing behaviours. J Archaeol Sci 30(11):1385–1391. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-4403(03)00027-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Yravedra J (2009) Why are cut mark frequencies in archaeofaunal assemblages so variable? A multivariate analysis. J Archaeol Sci 36(3):884–894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2008.11.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domínguez-Rodrigo M, de Juana S, Galán, a. B., & Rodríguez, M. (2009) A new protocol to differentiate trampling marks from butchery cut marks. J Archaeol Sci 36:2643–2654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2009.07.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Pickering TR, Bunn HT (2012) Experimental study of cut marks made with rocks unmodified by human flaking and its bearing on claims of ∼3.4-million-year-old butchery evidence from Dikika, Ethiopia. J Archaeol Sci 39(2):205–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2011.03.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Baquedano E, Mabulla A, Mercader J (2017) Paleoecological reconstructions of the Bed I and Bed II lacustrine basins of Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania) and insights into early human behavior. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 488:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PALAEO.2017.05.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Echassoux A (2009) Les premiers Européens et la dynamique des interactions avec leur environnement : comportement écologique et niveau de cognition. L’Anthropologie 113(1):191–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anthro.2008.12.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egeland, C. P. (2007). Zooarchaeological and taphonomic perspectives on hominid and carnivore interactions at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Anthropology, PhD(June), 313

  • Egeland CP (2012) The use of bone surface modifications to model hominid lifeways during the Oldowan. In: Dominguez-Rodrigo M (ed) Stone tools and fossil bones : debates in the archaeology of human origins. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 80–114

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Egeland CP, Pickering TR, Domínguez-Rodrigo M, Brain CK (2004) Disentangling Early Stone Age palimpsests: determining the functional independence of hominid- and carnivore-derived portions of archaeofaunas. J Hum Evol 47(5):343–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2004.08.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Egeland CP, Gasparian B, Arakelyan D, Nicholson CM, Petrosyan A, Ghukasyan R, Byerly R (2014) Reconnaissance survey for Palaeolithic sites in the Debed River Valley, northern Armenia. J Field Archaeol 39(4):370–386. https://doi.org/10.1179/0093469014Z.00000000096

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenmann V (1979) Les Mètapodes d’equus sensu lato (Mammalia, Pèrissodactyla). Geobios 12(6):863–886

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ervynck A (1997) Detailed recording of tooth wear (Grant, 1982) as an evaluation of the seasonal slaughtering of pigs? Examples from Medieval sites in Belgium. Archaeofauna 6:67–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Falguères C, Sémah F, Saleki H, Hameau S, Tu H, Féraud G, Simanjuntak H, Widianto H (2016) Geochronology of early human settlements in Java: what is at stake? Quat Int 416:5–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.10.076

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-jalvo Y, Andrews P (2003) Experimental effects of water abrasion on bone fragments. Journal of Taphonomy 1(3):147–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Jalvo, Y., & Andrews, P. (2016). Atlas of taphonomic identifications. Springer Netherlands

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Forestier H (1993) Le Clactonien: Mise en application d’une nouvelle méthode de débitage s’inscrivant dans la variabilité des systèmes de production lithique du Paléolithique ancien. Paleo 5:53–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Freudenthal M (1971) Neogene vertebrates from the Gargano Peninsula, Italy. Scr Geol 3:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabunia LK (2000) Earliest Pleistocene hominid cranial remains from Dmanisi, Republic of Georgia: taxonomy, geological setting, and age. Science 288:1019–1025

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galán AB, Domínguez-Rodrigo M (2013) An experimental study of the anatomical distribution of cut marks created by filleting and disarticulation on long bone ends. Archaeometry 55(6):1132–1149. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2012.00730.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia T, Féraud G, Falguères C, de Lumley H, Perrenoud C, Lordkipanidze D (2010) Earliest human remains in Eurasia: new 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Dmanisi hominid-bearing levels, Georgia. Quat Geochronol 5(4):443–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2009.09.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaudzinski S (1993) Early hominid subsistence in the Levant. Taphonomical studies at the Plio/Pleistocene ‘Ubeidiya Formation (Israel): evidence from layer II-24. In: Goren-Inbar N, Speth JD (eds) Human Paleoecology in the Levantine Corridor. (Oxbow Book., pp. 75–87), Oxford

  • Gaudzinski S (2004) Subsistence patterns of Early Pleistocene hominids in the Levant - taphonomic evidence from the ‘Ubeidiya Formation (Israel). J Archaeol Sci 31(8):65–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-4403(03)00100-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giusti D, Arzarello M (2016) The need for a taphonomic perspective in spatial analysis: formation processes at the Early Pleistocene site of Pirro Nord (P13), Apricena, Italy. JASREP 8:235–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.06.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gliozzi, E., Abbazzi, L., Argenti, P., Azzaroli, A., Caloi, L., Capasso Barbato, L., et al. (1997). Biochronology of selected mammals, molluscs and ostracods from the middle pliocene to the late pleistocene in Italy. The state of the art. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, 103(3), 369–388. doi:https://doi.org/10.13130/2039-4942/5299

  • Grant A (1982) The use of tooth wear as a guide to the age of domestic animals. In: Wilson B, Grigson C, Sebastian P (eds) Ageing and sexing animal bones from archaeological sites. BAR International Series. Archaeopress, Oxford, pp 91–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Han F, Bahain J-J, Deng C, Boëda É, Hou Y, Wei G, Huang W, Garcia T, Shao Q, He C, Falguères C, Voinchet P, Yin G (2017a) The earliest evidence of hominid settlement in China: combined electron spin resonance and uranium series (ESR/U-series) dating of mammalian fossil teeth from Longgupo cave. Quat Int 434:75–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.02.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han F, Bahain J-J, Deng C, Boëda É, Hou Y, Wei G et al (2017b) The earliest evidence of hominid settlement in China: combined electron spin resonance and uranium series (ESR/U-series) dating of mammalian fossil teeth from Longgupo cave. Quaternary International, 434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.02.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy BL (2004) Neanderthal behaviour and stone tool function at the Middle Palaeolithic site of La Quina, France. Antiquity 78(301):547–565. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003598X00113213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huguet R, Vallverdú J, Rodríguez-Álvarez XP, Terradillos-Bernal M, Bargalló A, Lombera-Hermida A, Menéndez L, Modesto-Mata M, van der Made J, Soto M, Blain HA, García N, Cuenca-Bescós G, Gómez-Merino G, Pérez-Martínez R, Expósito I, Allué E, Rofes J, Burjachs F, Canals A, Bennàsar M, Nuñez-Lahuerta C, Bermúdez de Castro JM, Carbonell E (2017) Level TE9c of Sima del Elefante (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain): a comprehensive approach. Quat Int 433:278–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.11.030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hussain S (1975) Evolutionary and functional anatomy of the pelvic limb in fossil and recent Equidae (Perissodactyla, Mammalia). Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia: Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series C 4(3):193–222. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0264.1975.tb00637.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iwase A (2016) A functional analysis of the LGM microblade assemblage in Hokkaido, northern Japan: a case study of Kashiwadai 1. Quat Int 425:140–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2016.04.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karampatsou, T. (2017). New data on stratigraphy and formation processes from Pirro 13 site of Pirro Nord ( Apulia , Italy ). Università degli Studi di Ferrara

  • Keeley LH (1980) Experimental determination of stone tool uses: a microwear analysis. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeley LH, Toth N (1981) Microwear polishes on early stone tools from Koobi fora, Kenya. Nature 293(5832):464–465. https://doi.org/10.1038/293464a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemorini C, Stiner MC, Gopher A, Shimelmitz R, Barkai R (2006) Use-wear analysis of an Amudian laminar assemblage from the Acheuleo-Yabrudian of Qesem Cave, Israel. J Archaeol Sci 33(7):921–934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2005.10.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemorini C, Plummer TW, Braun DR, Crittenden AN, Ditchfield PW, Bishop LC, Hertel F, Oliver JS, Marlowe FW, Schoeninger MJ, Potts R (2014a) Old stones’ song: use-wear experiments and analysis of the Oldowan quartz and quartzite assemblage from Kanjera South (Kenya). J Hum Evol 72:10–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2014.03.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lemorini C, Venditti F, Assaf E, Parush Y, Barkai R, Gopher A (2014b) The function of recycled lithic items at late lower Paleolithic Qesem cave, Israel: an overview of the use-wear data. Quat Int 361:103–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2014.07.032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemorini C, Bourguignon L, Zupancich A (2016) A scraper’s life history: Morpho-techno-functional and use-wear analysis of Quina and demi-Quina scrapers from Qesem cave, Israel. Quat Int 398:86–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.05.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levi Sala I (1986) Use wear and post-depositional surface modification: a word of caution. J Archaeol Sci 13(3):229–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-4403(86)90061-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Longo L (1994) Le industrie litiche. L’analisi delle tracce d’uso. In: Peretto C (ed) Le industrie litiche del giacimento paleolitico di Isernia la Pineta. La tipologia, le tracce di utilizzazione, la sperimentazione. Isernia, Cosmo Iannone, pp 355–404

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez-Garcìa JM, Luzi E, Berto C, Peretto C, Arzarello M (2015) Chronological context of the first hominin occurrence in southern Europe: the Allophaiomys ruffoi (Arvicolinae, Rodentia, Mammalia) from Pirro 13 (Pirro Nord, Apulia, southwestern Italy). Quat Sci Rev 107:260–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.10.029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • López-González F, Grandal-d’Anglade A, Vidal-Romaní JR (2006) Deciphering bone depositional sequences in caves through the study of manganese coatings. J Archaeol Sci 33(5):707–717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2005.10.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyman RL (1994) Vertebrate taphonomy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Malassé Dambricourt A, Moigne A-M, Singh M, Calligaro T, Karir B, Gaillard C et al (2016) Intentional cut marks on bovid from the Quranwala zone, 2.6 ma, Siwalik frontal range, northwestern India. Comptes Rendus Palevol 15(3–4):317–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CRPV.2015.09.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marcolini F, Masini F, Argenti P (2013) The rodents of the Pirro Nord fauna (Foggia, Southern Italy). Palaeontographica Abt. A: Palaeozoology - Stratigraphy 298(1–6):73–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marín-Arroyo AB, Landete-Ruiz MD, Seva-Román R, Lewis MD (2014) Manganese coating of the Tabun faunal assemblage: implications for modern human behaviour in the Levantine Middle Palaeolithic. Quat Int 330(1):10–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2013.07.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masini F, Sala B (2007) Large- and small-mammal distribution patterns and chronostratigraphic boundaries from the Late Pliocene to the Middle Pleistocene of the Italian peninsula. Quat Int 160(1):43–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2006.09.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masini F, Sala B (2011) Considerations on an integrated biochronological scale of Italian Quaternary continental mammals. Il Quatrnario 24(2):193–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Merritt SR (2012) Factors affecting early stone age cut mark cross-sectional size: implications from actualistic butchery trials. J Archaeol Sci 39(9):2984–2994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2012.04.036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mgeladze A, Lordkipanidze D, Moncel M-H, Despriée J, Chagelishvili R, Nioradze M (2010) First human settlement of the Caucasus: technical behavior and raw material acquisition at Dmanisi, Georgia (1.77 Ma). Quat Int 223–224:422–425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moss, E. H. (1983). The Functional analysis of flint implements Pincevent and Pont d’Ambon: two case studies from the French final Palaeolithic. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports International Series 177. Archaeopress

  • Moyano IT, Barsky D, Cauche D, Celiberti V, Grégoire S, Lebegue F, Moncel MH, de Lumley H (2011) The archaic stone tool industry from Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3, (Orce, Spain): evidence of the earliest hominin presence in southern Europe. Quat Int 243(1):80–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2010.12.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muttoni G, Scardia G, Kent DV, Morsiani E, Tremolada F, Cremaschi M, Peretto C (2011) First dated human occupation of Italy at {~}0.85Ma during the late Early Pleistocene climate transition. Earth Planet Sci Lett 307(3–4):241–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2011.05.025

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nilssen PJ (2000) An Actualistic butchery study in South Africa and its implications for reconstructing hominid strategies of carcass acquisition and butchery in the Upper Pleistocene and Plio-Pleistocene. University of Cape Town

  • Odell GH (1981) The mechanism of use-breakage of stone tools: some testable hypothesis. J Field Archaeol 8:197–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Odell GH, Cowan F (1986) Experiments with spears and arrows on animal targets. J Field Archaeol 13(2):195–212. https://doi.org/10.1179/009346986791535780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parés JM, Pérez-González A, Rosas A, Benito A, Bermúdez de Castro JM, Carbonell E, Huguet R (2006) Matuyama-age lithic tools from the Sima del Elefante site, Atapuerca (northern Spain). J Hum Evol 50(2):163–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2005.08.011

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pavia M, Zunino M, Coltorti M, Angelone C, Arzarello M, Bagnus C, Bellucci L, Colombero S, Marcolini F, Peretto C, Petronio C, Petrucci M, Pieruccini P, Sardella R, Tema E, Villier B, Pavia G (2012) Stratigraphical and palaeontological data from the Early Pleistocene Pirro 10 site of Pirro Nord (Puglia, south eastern Italy). Quat Int 267:40–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2010.12.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pawlik AF (2013) Detecting traits of modern behavior through microwear analysis. Asian Perspect 53:1689–1699. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peretto C, Amore FO, Antoniazzi A, Aantoniazzi A, Bahain J-J, Cattani L et al (1998a) L’industrie lithique de Ca’Belvedere di Monte Poggiolo : Stratigraphie, matière première, typologie, remontages et traces d’utilisation. L’ Anthropologie 102(4):343–465

    Google Scholar 

  • Peretto P, Despriée J, Gageonnet R, Voinchet P, Bahain J-J, Falguères C et al (1998b) Technological change and population growth. J Econ Growth 3(4):283–311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2006.03.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petronio C, Marcolini F (2013) Mammal Biocrhronology at the end of Late Villafranchian (Early Pleistocene): Pirro Faunal Unit. Palaeontographica Abt. A: Palaeozoology - Stratigraphy 298(1–6):183–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petrucci M, Cipullo A, Martínez-Navarro B, Rook L, Sardella R (2013) The Late Villafranchian (Early Pleistocene) carnivores (Carnivora, Mammalia) from Pirro Nord (Italy). Palaeontogr Abt A 298(1–6):113–145. https://doi.org/10.1127/pala/298/2013/113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pickering TR, Egeland CP (2006) Experimental patterns of hammerstone percussion damage on bones: implications for inferences of carcass processing by humans. J Archaeol Sci 33(4):459–469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2005.09.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pobiner BL (2015) New actualistic data on the ecology and energetics of hominin scavenging opportunities. J Hum Evol 80:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHEVOL.2014.06.020

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pobiner BL, Rogers MJ, Monahan CM, Harris JWK (2008) New evidence for hominin carcass processing strategies at 1.5 Ma, Koobi Fora, Kenya. J Hum Evol 55(1):103–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHEVOL.2008.02.001

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Gómez G, Palmqvist P, Rodríguez J, Mateos A, Martín-González JA, Espigares MP, Ros-Montoya S, Martínez-Navarro B (2016) On the ecological context of the earliest human settlements in Europe: resource availability and competition intensity in the carnivore guild of Barranco León-D and Fuente Nueva-3 (Orce, Baza Basin, SE Spain). Quat Sci Rev 143:69–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.QUASCIREV.2016.05.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rook L, Sardella R (2013) New data on the Early Pleistocene large sized porcupine from Pirro Nord (Apricena, Apulia, Italy). Palaeontogr Abt A 298(1–6):87–94. https://doi.org/10.1127/pala/298/2013/87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rots V (2010) Prehension and hafting traces on flint tools: a methodology. Leuven University Press, Leuven

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sahnouni M, Rosell J, van der Made J, Vergès JM, Ollé A, Kandi N, Harichane Z, Derradji A, Medig M (2013) The first evidence of cut marks and usewear traces from the Plio-Pleistocene locality of El-Kherba (Ain Hanech), Algeria: implications for early hominin subsistence activities circa 1.8 Ma. J Hum Evol 64(2):137–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2012.10.007

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saladié P, Rodríguez-Hidalgo A, Huguet R, Cáceres I, Díez C, Vallverdú J, Canals A, Soto M, Santander B, Bermúdez de Castro JM, Arsuaga JL, Carbonell E (2014) The role of carnivores and their relationship to hominin settlements in the TD6-2 level from Gran Dolina (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain). Quat Sci Rev 93:47–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.QUASCIREV.2014.04.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salari L, Kotsakis T, Petronio C (2013) Early Pleistocene bats from Pirro Nord (Apulia, Southern Italy). Palaeontogr Abt A 298(1–6):55–72. https://doi.org/10.1127/pala/298/2013/55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selvaggio MM (1998) Evidence for a three-stage sequence of hominid and carnivore involvement with long bones at FLKZinjanthropus, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. J Archaeol Sci 25:191–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Semenov SA (1964) Prehistoric technology; an experimental study of the oldest tools and artefacts from traces of manufacture and wear. Cory. Adams and Mackay, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Shen C, Chen C (2000) A use-wear study of lithic artifacts from Xiaochangliang and hominid activities in Nihewan Basin. Acta Anthropol Sinica 19:119–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Shipman P, Rose J (1983) Early hominid hunting, butchering, and carcass-processing behaviors: approaches to the fossil record. J Anthropol Archaeol 2:57–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-4165(83)90008-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solodenko N, Zupancich A, Cesaro SN, Marder O, Lemorini C, Barkai R (2015) Fat residue and use-Wear found on Acheulian biface and scraper associated with butchered elephant remains at the site of Revadim, Israel. PLoS One 10(3):e0118572. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118572

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Soulier M-C, Costamagno S (2017) Let the cutmarks speak! Experimental butchery to reconstruct carcass processing. J Archaeol Sci Rep 11:782–802. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JASREP.2016.12.033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stiner MC (1998) Mortality analysis of Pleistocene bears and its paleoanthropological relevance. J Hum Evol 34(3):303–326. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1997.0198

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swisher CC, Curtis GH, Jacob T, Getty AG, Suprijo A, Widiasmoro (1994) Age of the earliest known hominids in Java, Indonesia. Science 263(5150):1118–1121

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Terradillos-Bernal M, Rodríguez-Álvarez XP (2017) The influence of raw material quality on the characteristics of the lithic tool edges from the Atapuerca sites (Burgos, Spain). Quat Int 433:211–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.10.122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toro-Moyano I, Martínez-Navarro B, Agustí J, Souday C, Bermúdez de Castro JM, Martinón-Torres M, Fajardo B, Duval M, Falguères C, Oms O, Parés JM, Anadón P, Julià R, García-Aguilar JM, Moigne AM, Espigares MP, Ros-Montoya S, Palmqvist P (2013) The oldest human fossil in Europe, from Orce (Spain). J Hum Evol 65(1):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2013.01.012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tringham R, Cooper G, Odell GH, Voytek B, Whitman A (1974) Experimentation in the formation of edge damage: a new approach to lithic analysis. J Field Archaeol 1:171–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Val A, Costamagno S, Discamps E, Chong S, Claud E, Deschamps M, Mourre V, Soulier MC, Thiébaut C (2017) Testing the influence of stone tool type on microscopic morphology of cut-marks: experimental approach and application to the archaeological record with a case study from the Middle Palaeolithic site of Noisetier Cave (Fréchet-Aure, Hautes-Pyrénées, France). J Archaeol Sci Rep 11:17–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JASREP.2016.11.028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Gijn AL (2014) Science and interpretation in microwear studies. J Archaeol Sci 48:166–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2013.10.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vekua AK (2002) A new skull of early Homo from Dmanisi, Georgia. Science 297:85–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Villa P, Mahieu E (1991) Breakage patterns of human long bones. J Hum Evol 21(1):27–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/0047-2484(91)90034-S

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visentin D, Bertola S, Ziggiotti S, Peresani M (2015) Going off the beaten path? The Casera Lissandri 17 site and the role of the Cansiglio plateau on human ecology during the Early Sauveterrian in North-eastern Italy. Quat Int 423:213–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.11.119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins J, Schoville BJ, Brown KS, Chazan M (2015) Kathu Pan 1 points and the assemblage-scale, probabilistic approach: a response to Rots and Plisson, “Projectiles and the abuse of the use-wear method in a search for impact.”. J Archaeol Sci 54:294–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2014.12.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeshurun R, Zaidner Y, Eisenmann V, Martínez-Navarro Bienvenido B, Bar-Oz G (2011) Lower Paleolithic hominin ecology at the fringe of the desert: faunal remains from Bizat Ruhama and Nahal Hesi, Northern Negev, Israel. J Hum Evol 60(4):492–507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2010.01.008

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu RX, Potts R, Pan YX, Lü LQ, Yao HT, Deng CL, Qin HF (2008) Paleomagnetism of the Yuanmou Basin near the southeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau and its constraints on late Neogene sedimentation and tectonic rotation. Earth Planet Sci Lett 272(1–2):97–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2008.04.016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ziggioti S (2005) Tecnologia e Funzione. Apporto dell’analisi funzionale delle industrie litiche dell’Epigravettiano recente nelle Prealpi orientali italiane. Consorzio universitario di Bologna, Ferrara e Parma

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the Gervasio family, owner of the excavation area, for its kindness and availability. We thank also Gaetano and Franco dell’Erba for their constant support for our research and the Municipality of Apricena for its economic help and general support. The work in the Pirro Nord site was possible thanks to collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le Province di Barletta-Andria-Trani e Foggia. We thank M.L. Caparrini and Fabio Bertone for the English revision.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Razika Chelli Cheheb, Marta Arzarello, Julie Arnaud, Claudio Berto, Sandro Caracausi, Francesco Colopi, Sara Daffara, Guido Montanari Canini, Theodora Karambatsou & Gabriele L. F. Berruti

  2. Centre National de Recherches Préhistoriques, Anthropologiques et Historiques, Alger, Algeria

    Razika Chelli Cheheb

  3. Dipartimento di Storia, Archeologia, Geografia, Arte e Spettacolo (SAGAS)-Archeologia preistorica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy

    Claudio Berto

  4. Museo e Istituto Fiorentino di Preistoria, Florence, Italy

    Claudio Berto

  5. Area de Prehistoria, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain

    Isabel Cáceres, Sandro Caracausi, Sara Daffara & Rosa Huguet

  6. IPHES, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social, Tarragona, Spain

    Isabel Cáceres, Sandro Caracausi, Sara Daffara & Rosa Huguet

  7. Unit associated with CSIC. Departamento de Paloebiologia, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain

    Rosa Huguet

  8. Museo di Paleontologia e Preistoria “Piero Leonardi” dell’Università, Ferrara, Italy

    Benedetto Sala

  9. Dipartimento di Lettere e Filosofia, Università degli Studi di Trento, Trento, Italy

    Maurizio Zambaldi

  10. Museo di archeologia e paleontologia “Carlo Conti”, Borgosesia, Italy

    Gabriele L. F. Berruti

Authors
  1. Razika Chelli Cheheb
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marta Arzarello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Julie Arnaud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Claudio Berto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Isabel Cáceres
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sandro Caracausi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Francesco Colopi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Sara Daffara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Guido Montanari Canini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Rosa Huguet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Theodora Karambatsou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Benedetto Sala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Maurizio Zambaldi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Gabriele L. F. Berruti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Analyzed the data: RCC, IC, RH, GLFB, CB, MA. Wrote the paper: GLFB, CB, RCC, MA. Analysis of faunal remains: FC, CB, BS, GMC. Analysis of lithic tools: GLFB, MA, SD. Geomorphological analyses: SC, TK, MZ. Coordination of the excavation: MA, JA, GLFB, SD, CB, GMC, SC.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gabriele L. F. Berruti.

Additional information

Communicated by: Mary T. Silcox

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The oldest European traces of Homo-mamma’ interactions: new data from Pirro Nord 13 (Apricena, Italy)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cheheb, R.C., Arzarello, M., Arnaud, J. et al. Human behavior and Homo-mammal interactions at the first European peopling: new evidence from the Pirro Nord site (Apricena, Southern Italy). Sci Nat 106, 16 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-019-1610-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-019-1610-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation