ETD

• bone tools
• Central Italy
• faunal remains
• Lower Palaeolithic
• Middle Pleistocene
• Taphonomy

The PhD dissertation presents the results of the taxonomical revision and the taphonomic analysis of the macromammal assemblage of the open-air site of Castel di Guido.
The archaeological level lies at the bottom of an erosional feature (about 1200 m2), included within a succession of fluvial-lacustrine units. Highly fragmented large mammals remains were found in association with a local facies of the Acheulean including lithics and bone tools. Few Homo remains were found in the ploughed horizon.
The faunal assemblage includes a limited number of species, it is dominated by herbivores (Bos primigenius, Palaeoloxodon antiquus, Equus ferus, Cervus elaphus cf. rianensis), whereas carnivores are scarce.
The taphonomic approach is an invaluable tool to understand site formation processes: Castel di Guido is a complex palimpsest of human and natural components. Reworking in fluvial environment is the most important cause for displacement, modification and loss of bone remains; however, the analysis of bone surfaces gives evidence of human exploitation of herbivores. Men regularly visited the site to provide food (meat, marrow) and bone raw material. At present, it is still debated whether the animals, during Lower Palaeolithic, were procured through hunting or scavenging.