Papers by Margherita Mussi
Melis R.T., Demurtas V., Mussi M., Orrù P.E., Sulis A., Altamura F., Erbì R., Orrù M., Deiana G.,... more Melis R.T., Demurtas V., Mussi M., Orrù P.E., Sulis A., Altamura F., Erbì R., Orrù M., Deiana G., 2023. The paleolandscape evolution of the southwestern coast of Sardinia (Italy) and its impact on Mesolithic settlements, in Journal of Maps, 14 pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2023.2182722
We present a geomorphological map of the southwestern coast of Sardinia encompassing inland and offshore areas of the S'Omu e S'Orku Mesolithic site. The submerged area was documented by high-resolution multibeam bathymetry combined with Side-Scan Sonar data. The emerged coastal area was surveyed using Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Remote Sensing and field surveys. The inland landforms were shaped by coastal, fluvial, and gravityinduced processes. Most of the submerged landforms appear be modeled in subaerial conditions during sea-level lowstands, and then sealed by the rising sea level. The coastal evolution has been characterized by the rapid cliff retreat facilitated intense linear erosion of watercourses, by debris flows, rockfalls and toppling. Geomorphological evidences of cliff retreat due to landslide was supported by a simplified analytic hydraulic model of the wavecliff interaction. These processes and the sea level rise canceled any possible Mesolithic settlement along the coast. The survival of the S'Omu e S'Orku site is only due to a protected morphological position and to the distance from the Early Holocene coastline. The dearth of coastal Early Holocene prehistoric sites is likely the outcome of the presented coastal dynamics
Evolutionary anthropology
Scientific reports, Jan 12, 2018
We report the occurrence at 0.7 million years (Ma) of an ichnological assemblage at Gombore II-2,... more We report the occurrence at 0.7 million years (Ma) of an ichnological assemblage at Gombore II-2, which is one of several archaeological sites at Melka Kunture in the upper Awash Valley of Ethiopia, 2000 m asl. Adults and children potentially as young as 12 months old left tracks in a silty substrate on the shore of a body of water where ungulates, as well as other mammals and birds, congregated. Furthermore, the same layers contain a rich archaeological and palaeontological record, confirming that knapping was taking place in situ and that stone tools were used for butchering hippo carcasses at the site. The site gives direct information on hominin landscape use at 0.7 Ma and may provide fresh perspective on the childhood of our ancestors.
Botticelli M., Altamura F., Catelli E., Pronti L., Medeghini L., Mussi M., Maras A., 2022. Colori... more Botticelli M., Altamura F., Catelli E., Pronti L., Medeghini L., Mussi M., Maras A., 2022. Colorimetric characterization of ochres in a Palaeolithic flint pebble from Maschio dell’Artemisio, Latium, Italy, in Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 43, 103420.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022
Grotta di Pozzo is a small cave at 720 m asl and 42◦ N in the Apennine range of Abruzzo (Central ... more Grotta di Pozzo is a small cave at 720 m asl and 42◦ N in the Apennine range of Abruzzo (Central Italy), formerly
opening on the edge of a now drained large lake, the Lake Fucino. The archaeological sequence starts on the top
of a fluvial-lacustrine deposit at 23,000 cal. BP, with layers including lithic industry of the Early Epigravettian.
Later on, from 15,500 cal. BP and up to 14,000 cal. BP, the lithics belong to the Final Epigravettian. Previous
zooarchaeological analysis provided evidence of the seasonal hunting of chamois, followed by ibex and red deer,
as well as marmot and black grouse, while trout eventually became another important food resource. Here we
analyse the lithic industry in order to identify the projectile points using analysis under the microscope coupled
with access to a reference collection and with experimental training. We conclude that microlithic backed tools
were definitely projectile points, as widely assumed in the case of the Epigravettian but rarely confirmed by
focused investigation. Furthermore, use-wears due to hafting suggest that after the Last Glacial Maximum the
hunting gear possibly included complex weapons in the mountain environment of the Central Apennine.
https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1elal_,5MKXACIB free version for 50 days
L'Anthropologie
Mussi M., Méndez-Quintas E., Panera J., Altamura F., di Bianco L., Bonnefille R., Briatico G., Br... more Mussi M., Méndez-Quintas E., Panera J., Altamura F., di Bianco L., Bonnefille R., Briatico G., Brunelli E., Geraads D., Mutri G., Piarulli F., Rubio Jara S., Ruta G., Sánchez-Dehesa Galán S., Serodio Domínguez A., Melis R.T., 2022. Une vue d’ensemble sur Melka Kunture, grand complexe de sites pléistocènes dans la vallée supérieure de l’Awash (Ethiopie), in L’Anthropologie, 10299. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anthro.2022.102999
Scientific Reports
Childhood is an ontogenetic stage unique to the modern human life history pattern. It enables the... more Childhood is an ontogenetic stage unique to the modern human life history pattern. It enables the still dependent infants to achieve an extended rapid brain growth, slow somatic maturation, while benefitting from provisioning, transitional feeding, and protection from other group members. This tipping point in the evolution of human ontogeny likely emerged from early Homo. The GAR IVE hemi-mandible (1.8 Ma, Melka Kunture, Ethiopia) represents one of the rarely preserved early Homo infants (~ 3 years at death), recovered in a richly documented Oldowan archaeological context. Yet, based on the sole external inspection of its teeth, GAR IVE was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease–amelogenesis imperfecta (AI)–altering enamel. Since it may have impacted the child’s survival, this diagnosis deserves deeper examination. Here, we reassess and refute this diagnosis and all associated interpretations, using an unprecedented multidisciplinary approach combining an in-depth analysis of GAR IV...
Fossil remains of endemic elephants have been collected from the Pleistocene deposits of several ... more Fossil remains of endemic elephants have been collected from the Pleistocene deposits of several Mediterranean islands. They have been generally considered as paleoloxodontine, derived from the continental Middle and Late Pleistocene Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus Falconer & Cautley. The only apparent exception is the middle-sized Mammuthus lamarmorae (Major) of Sardinia. Some tarsal, carpal and long bones, from Last Glacial aeolian deposits outcropping at Fontana Morimenta (Gonnesa), were first reported by Acconci (1881). Following this discovery, Major (1883) described the new species “Elephas lamarmorae”, but did not illustrate it. During the second half of the 20 Century, two further molars were discovered: one in post-Tyrrhenian (postOI stage 5) breccias at Tramariglio (Alghero) (Malatesta 1954), and the other in preTyrrhenian (pre-OI stage 5) continental deposits at S. Giovanni in Sinis (Ambrosetti 1972). The latter is the only specimen for which stratigraphic control is ava...
Altamura F., Gaudzinski-Windheuser S., Melis R.T., Mussi M., 2019. Reassessing an early Middle Pl... more Altamura F., Gaudzinski-Windheuser S., Melis R.T., Mussi M., 2019. Reassessing an early Middle Pleistocene Hippo Butchery Site: Gombore II-2 (Melka Kunture, Upper Awash valley, Ethiopia), in Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology, 32 pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41982-019-00046-0 Abstract: Single-carcass sites of Lower and Middle Pleistocene age have attracted much attention since they were first recorded. They have been the focus both of science and of museum displays, with reconstructions of "hominins-feasting-on-a-carcass" purposefully illustrating a major step in human evolution. Here we report the Acheulean site Gombore II-2 in the upper Awash Valley of Ethiopia, dating to 0.7 Myr. In the 1970s, due to the presence of hippo remains, the site was published as a single-carcass butchering site. New excavations revealed an ichnosurface displaying animal and human footprints associated with bones and lithics. Subsequent studies of lithic and faunal remains of recent and p...
Journal of Archaeological Science
Abstract To assess the integrity of Pleistocene archaeological sites is crucial in the analysis o... more Abstract To assess the integrity of Pleistocene archaeological sites is crucial in the analysis of human behaviour. Most of the Early Palaeolithic sites are in active fluvial environments where it is necessary to understand the degree of sedimentary disturbance. The analysis of the formation processes through geoarchaeological and geostatistical techniques offers new tools to evaluate if the archaeological assemblage is in autochthonous or allochthonous position. Gombore II, ≈850 Ka, within the archaeological and paleontological complex of Melka Kunture (Ethiopia), extends over estimated 1000 m2 and yielded a large number of Acheulean artefacts, fossil mammal bones and two fossil hominin remains. The geomorphological setting and deposition patterns of high-energy sedimentation in a fluvial channelized environment are similar to those of many other Early Palaeolithic African sites. This is traditionally described as producing a disturbed record, with the fortuitous association of faunal remains and lithic industry driven by fluvial processes. To assess this hypothesis, we analyse here the formation processes and the spatial patterning of the remains. We apply geoarchaeological (orientation and fabric) and spatial tests (density, grouping, k-means) to the mapped archaeological surfaces and to a present-day fluvial surface. We observe substantial differences in geoarchaeological features and spatial patterning between the archaeological record (lithic materials and faunal remains) and the natural clasts of both the archaeological deposit and the bed of the present-day river. This suggests different depositional processes or temporal events. We conclude that the remains produced by the hominins did not haphazardly accumulate after extensive erosion and re-sedimentation. They rather preserve a reasonable degree of taphonomic and spatial integrity and are possibly representative of different activities.
Biogeographia – The Journal of Integrative Biogeography
M. Mussi, F. Altamura, R. Bonnefille, D. De Rita, R.T. Melis, 2016. The environment of the Ethiop... more M. Mussi, F. Altamura, R. Bonnefille, D. De Rita, R.T. Melis, 2016. The environment of the Ethiopian highlands at the Mid Pleistocene Transition: Fauna, flora and hominins in the 850-700 ka sequence of Gombore II (Melka Kunture). Quaternary Science Reviews, 149, pp. 259-268. Abstract: Environment, climatic change and human evolution have been debated over the last 50 years giving special attention to the Plio-Pleistocene sites of the Rift Valley. In this paper we discuss the environment and the limits of hominin adaptability based on evidence from Melka Kunture, at 2000 m asl on the Ethiopian highlands, and specifically on the ∼850 ka to ∼700 ka sequence at sub-site Gombore II. Human fossils and multiple Acheulean occurrences, as well as hippo remains and footprints, combined with palynological analysis, provide a highly detailed chronological resolution of the changing local environmental conditions during the last ∼150 ka of the MPT (Mid Pleistocene Transition), including the sequ...
Prehistoire Art Et Societes Bulletin De La Societe Prehistorique De L Ariege, 2010
Face au nombre assez limité de gisements gravettiens connus en Italie, les statuettes féminines c... more Face au nombre assez limité de gisements gravettiens connus en Italie, les statuettes féminines communément dénommées « vénus » gravettiennes ont été découvertes dans six grottes et sites de plein air (fig. 1). Ces vingt exemplaires représentent la plus forte concentration de toute l'Europe occidentale. Ils furent trouvés dans toute la péninsule italienne, mais ils sont absents des îles, où le Gravettien d'ailleurs manque. Les grottes des Balzi Rossi (Barma Grande et Grotte du Prince) contribuent à ce total pour plus de la moitié. C'est également dans cette localité, trop tôt fouillée au XIX e siècle, qu'ont été découverts les exemplaires les plus complexes du point de vue iconographique, dont des pièces comportant des figures doubles et des figures fantastiques (« monstres » ou chimères) opposées à des figures féminines. Ces figurines se prêtent à un rapprochement et à des comparaisons, parfois fort étroites, avec des représentations découvertes dans toute l'Eurasie, et jusqu'en Sibérie, en deçà et au-delà des limites géographiques du monde gravettien.
Origini Preistoria E Protostoria Delle Civilta Antiche, 2002
Prehistoire Art Et Societes Bulletin De La Societe Prehistorique De L Ariege, 2010
péninsule italienne, est un abri 12 m de long sur 4 m de profondeur (figure A). Les niveaux arché... more péninsule italienne, est un abri 12 m de long sur 4 m de profondeur (figure A). Les niveaux archéologiques du Paléolithique supérieur ont des dates s'étageant de 23 000 à 14 000 cal BP, avec une industrie lithique de l'Épigravettien ancien à pièces à cran suivie d'une industrie de l'Épigravettien final. Le Dryas récent est représenté par un niveau très pauvre, au-dessus duquel se trouve une escargotière à industrie sauveterrienne et quelques traces remaniées de Néolithique. Dans le talus, les niveaux ont des dates allant jusqu'à 20 000 cal BP. SIG16 Mussi Article intégral, p. 1783-1792 SYMPOSIUM 9-SIGNES, SYMBOLES, MYTHES ET IDÉOLOGIE 355 B. Vulve n o 1. C. Vulve n o 2. D. Silhouette de type Gönnersdorf-Lalinde. A. Vue générale de Grotta di Pozzo. Les éléments d'art pariétal ont été découverts sur la paroi verticale du fond, au-dessous de laquelle on entrevoit le début de la voûte de l'arrière-grotte, comblée de sédiments.
The paper describes Late Stone Age material collected in 1986 during systematic surface research ... more The paper describes Late Stone Age material collected in 1986 during systematic surface research at Buur Medow, next to Luuq, in the middle Juba Valley of southern Somalia.
Grotta Polesini is a major Upper Palaeolithic site of final Pleistocene age, located close to Rom... more Grotta Polesini is a major Upper Palaeolithic site of final Pleistocene age, located close to Rome in central Italy. A pebble with a finely engraved Bos primigenius head is analysed and described.
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Papers by Margherita Mussi
We present a geomorphological map of the southwestern coast of Sardinia encompassing inland and offshore areas of the S'Omu e S'Orku Mesolithic site. The submerged area was documented by high-resolution multibeam bathymetry combined with Side-Scan Sonar data. The emerged coastal area was surveyed using Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Remote Sensing and field surveys. The inland landforms were shaped by coastal, fluvial, and gravityinduced processes. Most of the submerged landforms appear be modeled in subaerial conditions during sea-level lowstands, and then sealed by the rising sea level. The coastal evolution has been characterized by the rapid cliff retreat facilitated intense linear erosion of watercourses, by debris flows, rockfalls and toppling. Geomorphological evidences of cliff retreat due to landslide was supported by a simplified analytic hydraulic model of the wavecliff interaction. These processes and the sea level rise canceled any possible Mesolithic settlement along the coast. The survival of the S'Omu e S'Orku site is only due to a protected morphological position and to the distance from the Early Holocene coastline. The dearth of coastal Early Holocene prehistoric sites is likely the outcome of the presented coastal dynamics
opening on the edge of a now drained large lake, the Lake Fucino. The archaeological sequence starts on the top
of a fluvial-lacustrine deposit at 23,000 cal. BP, with layers including lithic industry of the Early Epigravettian.
Later on, from 15,500 cal. BP and up to 14,000 cal. BP, the lithics belong to the Final Epigravettian. Previous
zooarchaeological analysis provided evidence of the seasonal hunting of chamois, followed by ibex and red deer,
as well as marmot and black grouse, while trout eventually became another important food resource. Here we
analyse the lithic industry in order to identify the projectile points using analysis under the microscope coupled
with access to a reference collection and with experimental training. We conclude that microlithic backed tools
were definitely projectile points, as widely assumed in the case of the Epigravettian but rarely confirmed by
focused investigation. Furthermore, use-wears due to hafting suggest that after the Last Glacial Maximum the
hunting gear possibly included complex weapons in the mountain environment of the Central Apennine.
https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1elal_,5MKXACIB free version for 50 days
We present a geomorphological map of the southwestern coast of Sardinia encompassing inland and offshore areas of the S'Omu e S'Orku Mesolithic site. The submerged area was documented by high-resolution multibeam bathymetry combined with Side-Scan Sonar data. The emerged coastal area was surveyed using Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Remote Sensing and field surveys. The inland landforms were shaped by coastal, fluvial, and gravityinduced processes. Most of the submerged landforms appear be modeled in subaerial conditions during sea-level lowstands, and then sealed by the rising sea level. The coastal evolution has been characterized by the rapid cliff retreat facilitated intense linear erosion of watercourses, by debris flows, rockfalls and toppling. Geomorphological evidences of cliff retreat due to landslide was supported by a simplified analytic hydraulic model of the wavecliff interaction. These processes and the sea level rise canceled any possible Mesolithic settlement along the coast. The survival of the S'Omu e S'Orku site is only due to a protected morphological position and to the distance from the Early Holocene coastline. The dearth of coastal Early Holocene prehistoric sites is likely the outcome of the presented coastal dynamics
opening on the edge of a now drained large lake, the Lake Fucino. The archaeological sequence starts on the top
of a fluvial-lacustrine deposit at 23,000 cal. BP, with layers including lithic industry of the Early Epigravettian.
Later on, from 15,500 cal. BP and up to 14,000 cal. BP, the lithics belong to the Final Epigravettian. Previous
zooarchaeological analysis provided evidence of the seasonal hunting of chamois, followed by ibex and red deer,
as well as marmot and black grouse, while trout eventually became another important food resource. Here we
analyse the lithic industry in order to identify the projectile points using analysis under the microscope coupled
with access to a reference collection and with experimental training. We conclude that microlithic backed tools
were definitely projectile points, as widely assumed in the case of the Epigravettian but rarely confirmed by
focused investigation. Furthermore, use-wears due to hafting suggest that after the Last Glacial Maximum the
hunting gear possibly included complex weapons in the mountain environment of the Central Apennine.
https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1elal_,5MKXACIB free version for 50 days
rapido mutare delle condizioni ambientali dalla fine dell’Ultimo Massimo Glaciale all’inizio dell’Olocene.