13 research outputs found
New data on Sicilian prehistoric and historic evolution in a mountain context, Vallone Inferno (Scillato, Italy)
Vallone Inferno rock-shelter is an archaeological site located in the Madonie mountain
range in Sicily. Archaeological excavation and research have provided a long prehistoric
and historic sequence from the Neolithic to the medieval period, this being the most complete
work in this area at present. In this paper we present the preliminary data provided
by a multidisciplinary study based on pottery, lithic, human, faunal and plant remains.
Stratigraphic studies have identified four complexes, of which complex 3 has provided
almost all the archaeological remains. 14C AMS dates, obtained from four samples, place
the human activities between 2601 cal BC and 644 cal AD. These dates are coherent with
the cultural attribution of the ceramic and lithic remains. Macrofaunal and plant remains
show a persistent use of the shelter for pastoral activities. Environmental data, obtained
from microvertebrate and archaeobotanical remains, show the aridification and opening
of the landscape from the base to the top of the sequence as a consequence of the human
impact.
\ua9 2012 Acad\ue9mie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved