The research was undertaken on the Pleistocene levels in squares 17 (partial), J7, K7, L7, G8, H8, M8, N8, O8, G9 (partial), J9, K9, L9, H10, I10, K10, H11, H12, as well as in Dx2, in the external talus.

In particular, work was renewed in row 7, the innermost excavated to date, which had not been touched for four years, following the taking of a resin cast of the surface of PS1 which came to light in K7-L7. These two squares were characterised by traces of burning and a particularly well-preserved vidange de foyer, which in this way was documented in three dimensional form. Overall, the aim was to improve knowledge of the area occupied during the Late Glacial and to attempt to correlate the internal levels of the cavern with those brought to light in the external talus. In H11-H12 work continued on the exposure of the support of a large collapse, similar to others along the entire slope below, which could correspond to a phase of tectonic activity during the Upper Pleistocene era. At present it can be stated that this collapse occurred before the formation of the latest levels of the final Epigravettian period, that is prior to 15,000 years ago (calibrated C14 dating).

Thanks to the collaboration of Bradford University and funding from the Leverhulme Foundation, sampling of the complete late Pleistocene sequence was undertaken with the aim of identifying the presence of microtephra (microscopic volcanic ash). If found, these would then provide a very precise chronological correlation with the archaeological levels from other sites where they have been identified.

As mentioned, in 2009 rock-art was indentified on the back wall of the cavern. Four different elements were documented, at a constant height of circa +30-+40 above point 0, at a distance of 2-3 m one from the other. Three of these elements were discovered during the 2009 excavations, the fourth was seen later. The latter was constituted by the modification of an angular piece rock, which had been worked by percussion, abrasion and incision to create a stylized female profile 75 mm high. The type is known from publications as “Venuses of the Gönnersdorf-Lalinde type”. These female figures, existing both as incisions and figurines, are dated throughout Europe to between 15,000 and 13,000 cal BP. The arrangement of the four elements found to date (one groove, two vulvas, and now the Gönnersdorf-Lalinde type silhouette) suggests that they could belong to a single chronological horizon. The latest discovery confirms what had been hypothesised in 2009, when it was suggested that the rock-art of Grotta di Pozzo could be placed in relationship with the levels of the final Epigravettian period, with a C14 dating of around 16-15,000 cal BP.

The rock-art from Grotta di Pozzo was presented at the IFRAO “L\‘art pléistocène dans le monde” 6 – 11 Septembre 2010, Ariège – Pyrénées, France. See the pdf file at http://ifraoariege2010.fr/