Fabio Cavulli

Evidence of high genetic variation among linguistically diverse populations on a micro-geographic scale: a case study of the Italian Alps

Although essential for the fine-scale reconstruction of genetic structure, only a few micro-geographic studies have been carried out in European populations. This study analyzes mitochondrial variation (651 bp of the hypervariable region plus 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms) in 393 samples from nine populations from Trentino (Eastern Italian Alps), a small area characterized by a complex geography and high linguistic diversity. A high level of genetic variation, comparable to geographically dispersed European groups, was observed. We found a difference in the intensity of peopling processes between two longitudinal areas, as populations from the west-central part of the region show stronger signatures of expansion, whereas those from the eastern area are closer to the expectations of a stationary demographic state. This may be explained by geomorphological factors and is also supported by archeological data. Finally, our results reveal a striking difference in the way in which the two linguistically isolated populations are genetically related to the neighboring groups. The Ladin speakers were found to be genetically close to the Italian-speaking populations and differentiated from the other Dolomitic Ladins, whereas the German-speaking Cimbri behave as an outlier, showing signatures of founder effects and low growth rate.

Wooden tools and fire technology in the early Neanderthal site of Poggetti Vecchi (Italy)

Significance Wood is a widely available and versatile material, which has admittedly played a fundamental role in all human history. Wood, however, is most vulnerable to decomposition. Hence, its use is very rarely documented during prehistory. The present study yields new insights into the cognitive abilities of the early Neanderthals in wooden tool production and pyrotechnology. The early Neanderthals from the late Middle Pleistocene site of Poggetti Vecchi (central Italy) were able to choose the appropriate timber and to process it with fire to produce tools. The artifacts recall the so-called “digging sticks,” multipurpose tools used by all hunter-gatherer societies. Excavations for the construction of thermal pools at Poggetti Vecchi (Grosseto, Tuscany, central Italy) exposed a series of wooden tools in an open-air stratified site referable to late Middle Pleistocene. The wooden artifacts were uncovered, together with stone tools and fossil bones, largely belonging to the straight-tusked elephant Paleoloxodon antiquus. The site is radiometrically dated to around 171,000 y B.P., and hence correlated with the early marine isotope stage 6 [Benvenuti M, et al. (2017) Quat Res 88:327–344]. The sticks, all fragmentary, are made from boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) and were over 1 m long, rounded at one end and pointed at the other. They have been partially charred, possibly to lessen the labor of scraping boxwood, using a technique so far not documented at the time. The wooden artifacts have the size and features of multipurpose tools known as “digging sticks,” which are quite commonly used by foragers. This discovery from Poggetti Vecchi provides evidence of the processing and use of wood by early Neanderthals, showing their ability to use fire in tool making from very tough wood.

Utilizzo dei sistemi GIS per la revisione di dati stratigrafici da depositi plurifase: il caso-studio di Riparo Tagliente (Stallavena di Grezzana, VR)

Application of GIS systems for the revision of stratigraphical data from multi-phase deposits: the case-study of Riparo Tagliente (Stallavena di Grezzana, VR)