A refined chronology for the Middle and early Upper Paleolithic sequence of Riparo Mochi (Liguria, Italy).

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Academic Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0337330 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1095-8606 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00472484 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Hum Evol Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: London ; New York : Academic Press
    • Subject Terms:
      Luminescent Measurements* ; Radiometric Dating*/methods; Archaeology ; Bayes Theorem ; Fossils ; Humans ; Italy
    • Abstract:
      The Riparo Mochi rock shelter, located on the Ligurian coast of Italy, is one of the most important early Upper Paleolithic sites on the Mediterranean rim. Its ∼10-m-deep stratigraphy comprises a Mousterian sequence, followed by various development stages of the Upper Paleolithic. A series of radiometric dates on marine shells bearing traces of human modification has provided a chronological framework for the final Mousterian and the Proto-Aurignacian of the site. Based on modeling results, the end of the Mousterian was dated between 44.0 and 41.8 ka cal BP (68% probability) and the beginning of the Proto-Aurignacian between 42.7 and 41.6 ka cal BP (68% probability). However, these estimates were based on a limited number of radiocarbon ages in the Mousterian levels. Here, we report new dating of the Mochi sequence using luminescence techniques, along with new radiocarbon measurements. The combination of these results using a Bayesian modeling approach allows for the first time the establishment of a more precise timing for the Mousterian occupation at the site. We show that Mousterian groups were already present at Riparo Mochi by at least 65 ka and continued to occupy the site for another 20 ka. The transition to the earliest Upper Paleolithic at the site is centered around 44.3-41.1 ka (95.4% probability), providing our best age estimate for the beginning of the Early Upper Paleolithic and the establishment of modern human groups in the Balzi Rossi. The sequence continues upward with a more evolved Aurignacian phase and a Gravettian phase starting at ∼26 ka or earlier.
      (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
    • Grant Information:
      324139 International ERC_ European Research Council
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Bayesian modeling; Chronology; Luminescence dating; Middle Paleolithic; Radiocarbon dating; Upper Paleolithic
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20220626 Date Completed: 20220809 Latest Revision: 20220823
    • Publication Date:
      20221213
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.jhevol.2022.103211
    • Accession Number:
      35753141