cristina lemorini | Università degli Studi "La Sapienza" di Roma (original) (raw)
Papers by cristina lemorini
Journal of Quaternary Science, 2024
ABSTRACT: There is currently substantial debate over the use of prehension or hafting of tools by... more ABSTRACT: There is currently substantial debate over the use of prehension or hafting of tools by hominins. Many
studies have been carried out to understand the prehension and hafting of hominin tools through experiments and
through study of the anatomy and muscle system of both non‐human primates and humans. This paper discusses the
results of the analyses of macro‐traces and micro‐residues of prehension found on small flakes from the late
Acheulean sites of Revadim (Israel), Jaljulia (Israel) and Fontana Ranuccio (Italy). Small flakes are ubiquitous in many
Late Lower Palaeolithic sites where they were used for various activities, including butchering. Their reduced size
leads us to consider how they were handled and if solutions including hafting techniques were adopted. In this paper,
the experimental protocol adopted, and the results obtained from macro‐traces and micro‐residues allowed us to
develop hypotheses regarding free‐hand gripping of the small flakes by hominins at Revadim, Jaljulia and Fontana
Ranuccio and the role that strength and pressure played in ensuring a good grip to enable the optimal use of these
tools.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Feb 1, 2023
The so-called husking tray is a pottery shape attested during the 7th and the first half of the 6... more The so-called husking tray is a pottery shape attested during the 7th and the first half of the 6th millennium BC in the Near East. These vessels are large trays with internal surfaces crossed by scored patterns. In this article we scrutinize the hypothesis that this type of ceramic forms were used for cereal-processing and bread baking, further supported by ethnographical and experimental evidence. Fragments belonging to this pottery form have been found at several archaeological sites in the Syrian Jazira. During the late Neolithic period the area was inhabited by societies based on agriculture as evidenced by storage facilities, harvesting and processing implements and archaeobotanical remains. The results of use-alteration and phytolith analyses from a selection of husking tray assemblages from settlements of this area Tell Sabi Abyad I, Tell Halula, Tell Kashkashok II, Khaneke, Tell Khazna II are discussed here. Use-alterations distributions over their surfaces showed patterns related to the detachment of plant foods such as ‘bread-like ’ materials, according to experimentally-produced records. In turn, phytolith results indicated the nature of the plant material adhered to the vessel surfaces which is dominated by Pooideae grasses. Multicellullar or anatomical connected phytoliths from the husks of wheat and barley were common in these assemblages. Overall, these results suggest a functionality related to the processing of cereals into bread. This integrated approach further supports the hypothesis that husking trays were used for baking. In conclusion, it allows a better understanding of Late Neolithic culinary practices.
The so-called husking tray is a pottery shape attested during the 7th and the first half of the 6... more The so-called husking tray is a pottery shape attested during the 7th and the first half of the 6th millennium BC in the Near East. These vessels are large trays with surfaces crossed by scored patterns. It has been hypothesized a functionality related to cerealprocessing and bread making, further supported by ethnographical and experimental evidence. The Neolithic site of Tell Sabi Abyad (northern Syria) has provided diverse ceramic material including storage vessels, as well as a wide range of macrobotanical remains such as hulled barley, emmer wheat, lentil, chickpea and flax. The results of use-wear and phytolith analyses from a selection of husking tray assemblages from the Late Neolithic settlement are discussed here. Use-wear distributions over their surfaces showed patterns related to the detachment of plant foods such as `bread-like¿ materials, according to experimentally-produced records. In turn, phytolith results indicated the nature of the plant material adhered to the vessel surfaces which is dominated by Pooideae grasses. Multicellullar or anatomical connected phytoliths from the husks of wheat and barley were common in these assemblages. Overall, these results suggests a functionality related to the processing of cereals into bread. This integrated approach further supports the hypothesis that husking trays were used for baking to better understand Late Neolithic culinary practices.Peer reviewe
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Apr 4, 2022
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, Nov 5, 2022
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Science
The oldest Oldowan tool sites, from around 2.6 million years ago, have previously been confined t... more The oldest Oldowan tool sites, from around 2.6 million years ago, have previously been confined to Ethiopia’s Afar Triangle. We describe sites at Nyayanga, Kenya, dated to 3.032 to 2.581 million years ago and expand this distribution by over 1300 kilometers. Furthermore, we found two hippopotamid butchery sites associated with mosaic vegetation and a C 4 grazer–dominated fauna. Tool flaking proficiency was comparable with that of younger Oldowan assemblages, but pounding activities were more common. Tool use-wear and bone damage indicate plant and animal tissue processing. Paranthropus sp. teeth, the first from southwestern Kenya, possessed carbon isotopic values indicative of a diet rich in C 4 foods. We argue that the earliest Oldowan was more widespread than previously known, used to process diverse foods including megafauna, and associated with Paranthropus from its onset.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Oct 25, 2022
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2021
African Paleoecology and Human Evolution
"... le quistioni nostre paletnologiche più importanti...". Trent'anni di tutela e ricerca preistorica in Emilia occidentale, 2019
EXCAVATIONS AT THE TERRAMARA OF PRAGATTO (BOLOGNA, ITALY): FROM THE FIRST DATA TO THE RESEARCH PR... more EXCAVATIONS AT THE TERRAMARA OF PRAGATTO (BOLOGNA, ITALY): FROM THE FIRST DATA TO THE RESEARCH PROJECT. The work aims to present the first results of the excavation conducted at the Terramara of Pragatto and illustrate the related research project. The area under investigation encompassed a wide strip of about 7,000 square meters corresponding to the southern portion of the settlement. The explorations, conducted by the Archeosistemi AR/S Cooperative, began in May 2016 and are currently being finalized. Excavation reached the settlement\u2019s limits toward both east and west. In the western area, the archaeological stratigraphy resulted progressively decreasing and the presence of a natural slope suggested the existence, already in the Bronze Age, of a watercourse coinciding with the present-day Rio Carpineta. A more complex and articulated system of perimetric delimitation was instead defined in the eastern side, which included a moat, the edges of the embankment\u2019s colluvium, and traces of a palisade and wooden gabions towards the inhabited area. Both structures, the palisade and the gabions, present a gap in correspondence with what could be interpreted as one of the accesses to the village and, although preserved only at the basal level, they appear strictly comparable with those discovered by Pigorini at Castione Marchesi. For what concerns the stratigraphy of the settlement, the materials collected on the surface after that agricultural works have removed the upper levels of the archaeological deposit, date the last occupation to the recent phases of the Bronze Age. The underneath deposit is fully preserved starting from levels dating to the Middle Bronze Age 3 \u2013 early Late Bronze Age and it has two distinct phases of well-characterized and regularly spaced heaped dumps. The basal level revealed the existence of a first settlement phase which, in the explored area, seems having included no dwellings, while long palisades delimitating empty areas, as well as holes and stumps, have instead been found. In parallel with the beginning of the excavations, a team was set up to address the research questions related to the geoarchaeological, palaeobotanical, palynological, and zooarchaeological data, as well as to explore potential analyses of metals, objects in animal hard tissues, and macro-lithic tools. The constitution of this team aimed not only at conducting laboratory analyses but also at supporting archaeologists during field investigations. Therefore, in addition to defining proactive protocols for the correct sampling and treatment of artifacts and samples, targeted interventions have been carried out during excavations in response of specific needs emerged during the progress of exploration
Journal of Archaeological Science Reports, 2024
The goal of this paper is to investigate the medieval domestic pan known as 'testello' through an... more The goal of this paper is to investigate the medieval domestic pan known as 'testello' through an integrated approach that combines morphological analysis with experimental archaeology and the analysis of technological traces. The testello is a flat container with edges a few centimeters high, traditionally used in Italy for crafting bread and flatbreads. We conducted an analysis of a sample of testelli from the medieval town of Cencelle (Viterbo, Italy). The application of experimental and traceological techniques, which have been relatively underutilized in the examination of medieval ceramics in Italy, has yielded numerous new insights into the material culture of Cencelle. This has prompted us to contemplate new methodologies for the production of domestic tools and the dynamics of social organization within a medieval town.
So far, hammer-stones used by capuchins have only been described in detail, with archeological ap... more So far, hammer-stones used by capuchins have only been described in detail, with archeological approaches, in
the long-term study site of Serra da Capivara, where capuchins use lithic tools to crack open low-resistance food
items, dig the soil to access embedded resources, or pound on conglomerate cliffs to pulverize them (stone-onstone).
Our work provides the first technological and techno-morpho-functional, use-wear and residue analysis of
a sample of lithic materials collected at six nut-cracking sites used by bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus
libidinosus) living in the Ubajara National Park (Cear´a, Brazil), a population not habituated to the presence of
researchers at the time. Shell remains at the sites were dominated by macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata) nuts.
Technological and techno-morpho-functional analysis identified six lithic hammer-stones, four tool fragments
and fifteen flakes on the bases of their morphology, their technological traits (flakes), their potential percussion
marks of use observed at the naked eye, and their potential function. Use-wear and residue (e.g., starch grains)
analyses unambiguously linking lithic tools to the processing of food items have been found on two hammerstones,
one hammer-stone fragment, two flakes and two micro-flakes. Our study adds one more geographical
site where an archeological approach has been taken to describe tools used by capuchins. We report that cracking
of hard-shelled nuts by wild robust capuchins may unintentionally produce flakes like those produced by stoneon-
stone behavior observed in the same species, by long-tailed macaques cracking Elaeis guineensis nuts, by
western chimpanzees cracking Panda oleosa nuts and by Pliocene/Pleistocene hominins. The detailed analysis of
lithic tools used by capuchin monkeys to process hard-shelled nuts, therefore, represents a significant
improvement towards the construction of a representative reference collection of tools for this important model
taxon for stone tool use in non-human primates.
Trace analysis stands as a well-established methodology, contributing significantly to the interp... more Trace analysis stands as a well-established methodology, contributing significantly to the interpretation of socio-cultural and economic aspects within ancient communities. Understanding the importance of wear on the surfaces of archaeological remainslinked to technological and functional aspects-involves using shared protocols. These protocols include standardized procedures for both macroscopic and microscopic observation. Notably, over the last decade, there is been a growing emphasis on applying additional quantitative methods. These methods specifically investigate details of the microtopography related to wear. While trace analysis can be individually applied to study archaeological remains, its value as an independent, non-invasive, and non-destructive analytical method is maximized when combined with other independent analyses (such as residue analysis, technological analysis and raw material studies) and/or related disciplines (including zooarchaeology, paleobotany, and anthropology). This holistic approach not only strengthens confidence in the interpretation of traceological results but also enhances the reliability of archaeological interpretations. This session is aimed to involve the participants to discuss about: 1-the integration of traceological studies with other disciplines and/or techniques as an avenue for methodological improvements; 2-the benefits of using traceology integrated with other methodologies to identify and interpret the archeological evidence; 3-the limits and the critical aspects of combining different approaches and the suggestions for overcome these constrains. We invite scholars to present cases studies from Paleolithic to Medieval Era dealing with multidisciplinary methodologies including macro and microscopic analysis of technological and/or functional aspects of material culture. We encourage contributions exploring materials beyond stone, such as ceramics, metal, hard animal materials, wood, and glass. Additionally, we invite submissions covering diverse surfaces, ranging from objects and artwork to architectural features.
Science, 2023
The oldest Oldowan tool sites, from around 2.6 million years ago, have previously been confined t... more The oldest Oldowan tool sites, from around 2.6 million years ago, have previously been confined
to Ethiopia’s Afar Triangle. We describe sites at Nyayanga, Kenya, dated to 3.032 to 2.581 million
years ago and expand this distribution by over 1300 kilometers. Furthermore, we found two
hippopotamid butchery sites associated with mosaic vegetation and a C4 grazer–dominated fauna.
Tool flaking proficiency was comparable with that of younger Oldowan assemblages, but pounding
activities were more common. Tool use-wear and bone damage indicate plant and animal tissue
processing. Paranthropus sp. teeth, the first from southwestern Kenya, possessed carbon isotopic
values indicative of a diet rich in C4 foods. We argue that the earliest Oldowan was more widespread
than previously known, used to process diverse foods including megafauna, and associated with
Paranthropus from its onset.
Journal of Quaternary Science, 2024
ABSTRACT: There is currently substantial debate over the use of prehension or hafting of tools by... more ABSTRACT: There is currently substantial debate over the use of prehension or hafting of tools by hominins. Many
studies have been carried out to understand the prehension and hafting of hominin tools through experiments and
through study of the anatomy and muscle system of both non‐human primates and humans. This paper discusses the
results of the analyses of macro‐traces and micro‐residues of prehension found on small flakes from the late
Acheulean sites of Revadim (Israel), Jaljulia (Israel) and Fontana Ranuccio (Italy). Small flakes are ubiquitous in many
Late Lower Palaeolithic sites where they were used for various activities, including butchering. Their reduced size
leads us to consider how they were handled and if solutions including hafting techniques were adopted. In this paper,
the experimental protocol adopted, and the results obtained from macro‐traces and micro‐residues allowed us to
develop hypotheses regarding free‐hand gripping of the small flakes by hominins at Revadim, Jaljulia and Fontana
Ranuccio and the role that strength and pressure played in ensuring a good grip to enable the optimal use of these
tools.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Feb 1, 2023
The so-called husking tray is a pottery shape attested during the 7th and the first half of the 6... more The so-called husking tray is a pottery shape attested during the 7th and the first half of the 6th millennium BC in the Near East. These vessels are large trays with internal surfaces crossed by scored patterns. In this article we scrutinize the hypothesis that this type of ceramic forms were used for cereal-processing and bread baking, further supported by ethnographical and experimental evidence. Fragments belonging to this pottery form have been found at several archaeological sites in the Syrian Jazira. During the late Neolithic period the area was inhabited by societies based on agriculture as evidenced by storage facilities, harvesting and processing implements and archaeobotanical remains. The results of use-alteration and phytolith analyses from a selection of husking tray assemblages from settlements of this area Tell Sabi Abyad I, Tell Halula, Tell Kashkashok II, Khaneke, Tell Khazna II are discussed here. Use-alterations distributions over their surfaces showed patterns related to the detachment of plant foods such as ‘bread-like ’ materials, according to experimentally-produced records. In turn, phytolith results indicated the nature of the plant material adhered to the vessel surfaces which is dominated by Pooideae grasses. Multicellullar or anatomical connected phytoliths from the husks of wheat and barley were common in these assemblages. Overall, these results suggest a functionality related to the processing of cereals into bread. This integrated approach further supports the hypothesis that husking trays were used for baking. In conclusion, it allows a better understanding of Late Neolithic culinary practices.
The so-called husking tray is a pottery shape attested during the 7th and the first half of the 6... more The so-called husking tray is a pottery shape attested during the 7th and the first half of the 6th millennium BC in the Near East. These vessels are large trays with surfaces crossed by scored patterns. It has been hypothesized a functionality related to cerealprocessing and bread making, further supported by ethnographical and experimental evidence. The Neolithic site of Tell Sabi Abyad (northern Syria) has provided diverse ceramic material including storage vessels, as well as a wide range of macrobotanical remains such as hulled barley, emmer wheat, lentil, chickpea and flax. The results of use-wear and phytolith analyses from a selection of husking tray assemblages from the Late Neolithic settlement are discussed here. Use-wear distributions over their surfaces showed patterns related to the detachment of plant foods such as `bread-like¿ materials, according to experimentally-produced records. In turn, phytolith results indicated the nature of the plant material adhered to the vessel surfaces which is dominated by Pooideae grasses. Multicellullar or anatomical connected phytoliths from the husks of wheat and barley were common in these assemblages. Overall, these results suggests a functionality related to the processing of cereals into bread. This integrated approach further supports the hypothesis that husking trays were used for baking to better understand Late Neolithic culinary practices.Peer reviewe
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Apr 4, 2022
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, Nov 5, 2022
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Science
The oldest Oldowan tool sites, from around 2.6 million years ago, have previously been confined t... more The oldest Oldowan tool sites, from around 2.6 million years ago, have previously been confined to Ethiopia’s Afar Triangle. We describe sites at Nyayanga, Kenya, dated to 3.032 to 2.581 million years ago and expand this distribution by over 1300 kilometers. Furthermore, we found two hippopotamid butchery sites associated with mosaic vegetation and a C 4 grazer–dominated fauna. Tool flaking proficiency was comparable with that of younger Oldowan assemblages, but pounding activities were more common. Tool use-wear and bone damage indicate plant and animal tissue processing. Paranthropus sp. teeth, the first from southwestern Kenya, possessed carbon isotopic values indicative of a diet rich in C 4 foods. We argue that the earliest Oldowan was more widespread than previously known, used to process diverse foods including megafauna, and associated with Paranthropus from its onset.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Oct 25, 2022
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2021
African Paleoecology and Human Evolution
"... le quistioni nostre paletnologiche più importanti...". Trent'anni di tutela e ricerca preistorica in Emilia occidentale, 2019
EXCAVATIONS AT THE TERRAMARA OF PRAGATTO (BOLOGNA, ITALY): FROM THE FIRST DATA TO THE RESEARCH PR... more EXCAVATIONS AT THE TERRAMARA OF PRAGATTO (BOLOGNA, ITALY): FROM THE FIRST DATA TO THE RESEARCH PROJECT. The work aims to present the first results of the excavation conducted at the Terramara of Pragatto and illustrate the related research project. The area under investigation encompassed a wide strip of about 7,000 square meters corresponding to the southern portion of the settlement. The explorations, conducted by the Archeosistemi AR/S Cooperative, began in May 2016 and are currently being finalized. Excavation reached the settlement\u2019s limits toward both east and west. In the western area, the archaeological stratigraphy resulted progressively decreasing and the presence of a natural slope suggested the existence, already in the Bronze Age, of a watercourse coinciding with the present-day Rio Carpineta. A more complex and articulated system of perimetric delimitation was instead defined in the eastern side, which included a moat, the edges of the embankment\u2019s colluvium, and traces of a palisade and wooden gabions towards the inhabited area. Both structures, the palisade and the gabions, present a gap in correspondence with what could be interpreted as one of the accesses to the village and, although preserved only at the basal level, they appear strictly comparable with those discovered by Pigorini at Castione Marchesi. For what concerns the stratigraphy of the settlement, the materials collected on the surface after that agricultural works have removed the upper levels of the archaeological deposit, date the last occupation to the recent phases of the Bronze Age. The underneath deposit is fully preserved starting from levels dating to the Middle Bronze Age 3 \u2013 early Late Bronze Age and it has two distinct phases of well-characterized and regularly spaced heaped dumps. The basal level revealed the existence of a first settlement phase which, in the explored area, seems having included no dwellings, while long palisades delimitating empty areas, as well as holes and stumps, have instead been found. In parallel with the beginning of the excavations, a team was set up to address the research questions related to the geoarchaeological, palaeobotanical, palynological, and zooarchaeological data, as well as to explore potential analyses of metals, objects in animal hard tissues, and macro-lithic tools. The constitution of this team aimed not only at conducting laboratory analyses but also at supporting archaeologists during field investigations. Therefore, in addition to defining proactive protocols for the correct sampling and treatment of artifacts and samples, targeted interventions have been carried out during excavations in response of specific needs emerged during the progress of exploration
Journal of Archaeological Science Reports, 2024
The goal of this paper is to investigate the medieval domestic pan known as 'testello' through an... more The goal of this paper is to investigate the medieval domestic pan known as 'testello' through an integrated approach that combines morphological analysis with experimental archaeology and the analysis of technological traces. The testello is a flat container with edges a few centimeters high, traditionally used in Italy for crafting bread and flatbreads. We conducted an analysis of a sample of testelli from the medieval town of Cencelle (Viterbo, Italy). The application of experimental and traceological techniques, which have been relatively underutilized in the examination of medieval ceramics in Italy, has yielded numerous new insights into the material culture of Cencelle. This has prompted us to contemplate new methodologies for the production of domestic tools and the dynamics of social organization within a medieval town.
So far, hammer-stones used by capuchins have only been described in detail, with archeological ap... more So far, hammer-stones used by capuchins have only been described in detail, with archeological approaches, in
the long-term study site of Serra da Capivara, where capuchins use lithic tools to crack open low-resistance food
items, dig the soil to access embedded resources, or pound on conglomerate cliffs to pulverize them (stone-onstone).
Our work provides the first technological and techno-morpho-functional, use-wear and residue analysis of
a sample of lithic materials collected at six nut-cracking sites used by bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus
libidinosus) living in the Ubajara National Park (Cear´a, Brazil), a population not habituated to the presence of
researchers at the time. Shell remains at the sites were dominated by macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata) nuts.
Technological and techno-morpho-functional analysis identified six lithic hammer-stones, four tool fragments
and fifteen flakes on the bases of their morphology, their technological traits (flakes), their potential percussion
marks of use observed at the naked eye, and their potential function. Use-wear and residue (e.g., starch grains)
analyses unambiguously linking lithic tools to the processing of food items have been found on two hammerstones,
one hammer-stone fragment, two flakes and two micro-flakes. Our study adds one more geographical
site where an archeological approach has been taken to describe tools used by capuchins. We report that cracking
of hard-shelled nuts by wild robust capuchins may unintentionally produce flakes like those produced by stoneon-
stone behavior observed in the same species, by long-tailed macaques cracking Elaeis guineensis nuts, by
western chimpanzees cracking Panda oleosa nuts and by Pliocene/Pleistocene hominins. The detailed analysis of
lithic tools used by capuchin monkeys to process hard-shelled nuts, therefore, represents a significant
improvement towards the construction of a representative reference collection of tools for this important model
taxon for stone tool use in non-human primates.
Trace analysis stands as a well-established methodology, contributing significantly to the interp... more Trace analysis stands as a well-established methodology, contributing significantly to the interpretation of socio-cultural and economic aspects within ancient communities. Understanding the importance of wear on the surfaces of archaeological remainslinked to technological and functional aspects-involves using shared protocols. These protocols include standardized procedures for both macroscopic and microscopic observation. Notably, over the last decade, there is been a growing emphasis on applying additional quantitative methods. These methods specifically investigate details of the microtopography related to wear. While trace analysis can be individually applied to study archaeological remains, its value as an independent, non-invasive, and non-destructive analytical method is maximized when combined with other independent analyses (such as residue analysis, technological analysis and raw material studies) and/or related disciplines (including zooarchaeology, paleobotany, and anthropology). This holistic approach not only strengthens confidence in the interpretation of traceological results but also enhances the reliability of archaeological interpretations. This session is aimed to involve the participants to discuss about: 1-the integration of traceological studies with other disciplines and/or techniques as an avenue for methodological improvements; 2-the benefits of using traceology integrated with other methodologies to identify and interpret the archeological evidence; 3-the limits and the critical aspects of combining different approaches and the suggestions for overcome these constrains. We invite scholars to present cases studies from Paleolithic to Medieval Era dealing with multidisciplinary methodologies including macro and microscopic analysis of technological and/or functional aspects of material culture. We encourage contributions exploring materials beyond stone, such as ceramics, metal, hard animal materials, wood, and glass. Additionally, we invite submissions covering diverse surfaces, ranging from objects and artwork to architectural features.
Science, 2023
The oldest Oldowan tool sites, from around 2.6 million years ago, have previously been confined t... more The oldest Oldowan tool sites, from around 2.6 million years ago, have previously been confined
to Ethiopia’s Afar Triangle. We describe sites at Nyayanga, Kenya, dated to 3.032 to 2.581 million
years ago and expand this distribution by over 1300 kilometers. Furthermore, we found two
hippopotamid butchery sites associated with mosaic vegetation and a C4 grazer–dominated fauna.
Tool flaking proficiency was comparable with that of younger Oldowan assemblages, but pounding
activities were more common. Tool use-wear and bone damage indicate plant and animal tissue
processing. Paranthropus sp. teeth, the first from southwestern Kenya, possessed carbon isotopic
values indicative of a diet rich in C4 foods. We argue that the earliest Oldowan was more widespread
than previously known, used to process diverse foods including megafauna, and associated with
Paranthropus from its onset.
Redazione e organizzazione: G.M. Annoscia, alla quale si deve anche l'impaginazione, A. Cardarell... more Redazione e organizzazione: G.M. Annoscia, alla quale si deve anche l'impaginazione, A. Cardarelli, C. Carlucci, C. Conati Barbaro, A. Ferrandes, L. Michetti e D. Nadali. L'opuscolo è stato realizzato con la collaborazione delle Officine Museali.
LA GROTTA DELLE VENERI DI PARABITA (LECCE), 2020
La Grotta delle Veneri divenne nota nella letteratura paletnologica in seguito al rinvenimento, a... more La Grotta delle Veneri divenne nota nella letteratura paletnologica in seguito al rinvenimento, al suo interno, di due statuine femminili dette Veneri: da qui il suo nome.Ma non solo: la sua importanza risiede anche nella frequentazione ininterrotta che la vide occupata dal Paleolitico medio fino all’età del Bronzo senza soluzione di continuità.Un periodo lunghissimo nel corso del quale si sono avvicendati tutti gli aspetti della preistoria meridionale, lasciando in essa tracce cospicue della loro presenza. All’inizio ci fu l’uomo di Neanderthal con la sua cultura, il Musteriano (80.000-35.000 anni fa), seguito da una fase di transizione detta Uluzziano che segna l’arrivo del Sapiens con le diverse fasi del Paleolitico superiore (35.000-10.000 anni fa): il Gravettiano, l’Epigravettiano antico e a foliati, l’Epigravettiano finale o Epiromanelliano. Durante il Gravettiano furono inumati insieme un uomo e una donna con uno scarno corredo costituito da un ciottolo e un raschiatoio tinti di ocra e un copricapo fatto con canini atrofici di cervo. Alla fine del Paleolitico superiore gli abitanti della grotta incisero una grande quantità di ossa e pietre, circa 500, con una sintassi geometrico-lineare allora in voga in Italia e in Europa. È una delle espressioni artistiche del Sapiens il cui significato è per noi incomprensibile, al pari della grande arte “naturalistica” che aveva dipinto sulle pareti di molte grotte animali quali bisonti, cavalli, cervi, leoni dall’indubbio contenuto simbolico. Con l’arrivo del Neolitico (VI-IV millennio a.C.) cambiò la vita dei cacciatori-raccoglitori: alla caccia si sostituì un’economia basata su agricoltura e allevamento, che richiese una nuova suppellettile come contenitori in ceramica, strumenti levigati e non solo scheggiati come asce e accette insieme a oggetti di carattere cultuale quali le pintadere, specie di timbri per tatuare o per imprimere marchi.Nacquero nuovi riti e credenze, si affermò una religiosità di tipo agrario con al centro il protagonismo della Terra da cui dipendono le sorti delle creature viventi.La grotta ha restituito tutti gli aspetti della ceramica neolitica dalla impressa agli stili dipinti fino alle fasi finali di Serra d’Alto e Diana. In essa si svolsero riti come lo scavo di buche, una delle quali intercettò la sepoltura paleolitica, offerte di oggetti pregiati e di vasi finemente decorati.Nel corso del Neolitico si sviluppò una rete di rapporti, grazie anche alla navigazione, che permise scambi e contatti con le regioni affacciate sul Mediterraneo, creando un mondo interconnesso che caratterizzerà anche i periodi successivi. Con l’Eneolitico (IV-III millennio a.C.) si diffusero nuove fogge e nuovi costumi funerari: molte grotte divennero sedi di sepolture collettive e una nuova tipologia vide la nascita di seppellimenti sotto tumulo dove, accanto all’inumazione, veniva praticata l’incinerazione.Le forme ceramiche sono ispirate agli aspetti classici di Gaudo e Laterza con interessanti rimandi alla cultura transadriatica di Cetina. Nel II millennio continua la frequentazione della grotta ma con un carattere più dimesso e una suppellettile di uso quotidiano come grandi contenitori e attrezzi per la lavorazione del latte quali i bollitoi. Si conclude così la vicenda millenaria di Grotta delle Veneri, punto di riferimento per le genti che di volta in volta popolarono il territorio, incubatrice di miti e credenze con cui nutrì la vita di intere generazioni dando loro un senso, una memoria da tramandare e una storia da raccontare.