The Lost MIS 11c Mammalian Fauna from Via dell’Impero (Rome, Italy)

Bibliographic Data

ID15801872
AuthorsMaria Rita Palombo (0000-0002-2104-2176, Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, corresponding author), Biagio Giaccio (0000-0002-7007-9127, Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering), L Monaco (0000-0002-6555-0842, Istituto di Scienze Marine del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche), Roberta Martino (0000-0002-5749-3454, Museu da Lourinhã), Marina Amanatidou (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Luca Pandolfi (0000-0002-6129-647X, University of Pisa, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume7
Issue4
Pages54-54
Publication date2024-12-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQuaternary (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2571-550X • E-ISSN: 2571-550X
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/quat7040054
OpenAlexW4404992168
LanguageEN
References cited91

This research presents an in-depth analysis of large mammal remains first discovered in 1932 in the archaeological area of ancient Rome, central Italy, during the work for the opening of Via dell’Impero (VFI). This work describes the faunal assemblage, its current preservation status, and uses tephrochronology to assess its age. Additionally, it provides paleoecological insights into the evolution of the mammalian fauna in Latium, central Italy, from MIS 13 to MIS 7. Analysis of the fossils updates the identification previously proposed by De Angelis d’Ossat, confirming the presence of Palaeoloxodon antiquus, Cervus elaphus, and Bos primigenius. However, in contrast to the previous author, the hippopotamus remains are assigned to Hippopotamus cf. antiquus, and a second deer is identified as Dama sp.. Furthermore, gnawing marks on the hippopotamus femur suggest the presence of a middle-sized carnivore. Tephrochronological investigation was conducted on pumice retrieved from the VFI fossiliferous layer and ash extracted from sediments adhering to the fossil surfaces. The major element composition of the glass from all pumice/ash samples shows a strong affinity with the Vico β unit, allowing correlation with the Fucino record and constraining the deposition of the VFI fossiliferous level between 405.7 + 1.5/−1.6 ka. Radiometric dating is particularly useful for large mammal faunas of MIS 11-MIS 7, a period lacking significant faunal renewals, as Latium mammalian faunas are often dominated by species (elephants, red deer, aurochs) with broad chronological ranges

Art · Biology · Fauna · Geography · Humanities · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Ecology

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