This season’s research at Grotta Scaloria focused on the upper chamber denominated the “camerone Quagliati” crossing a section of collapse in the area of the ancient entrance and the area immediately below. A number of small blocks were removed below which two new trenches were opened (trench 12 and trench 11) investigated by cutting a transect transversely to the line of the “Camerone”, in a north-south direction, for an overall length of c. 5 m (fig. 2). Micro-stratified _sondages_ were dug within the transect and samples taken for micro-morphological, pedological and granulometric analyses, in order to gain a more detailed picture of the sequence of levels forming the deposit and evaluate the importance of several carbonaceous concretions whose position was of some interest. The sequence was formed as follows: 1) geological formation of the inter-stratum cavern; 2) formation of the archaeological deposit between the end of the Pleistocene period and the Metal Age; 3) partial blocking of the cavern entrance caused by the detachment of elements from its ceiling; 4) the cavern is totally cut off from the outside world until its rediscovery. While the sampling undertaken in 2007 concentrated on the most recent transformation dynamics of the cavern – in particular the analysis of a stalagmite that had formed on the last collapse showed a first phase relating to a well-lit environment that was open until 1170 years ago, dated by U/Th, and a second phase of a stable environment, without any contact with the exterior. The 2013 investigations examined the nature and entity of the prehistoric occupation of the complex. The thickness of the archaeological deposit varied between 20 and 60 cm and it was buried by the material from the vault collapse. It was thus ascertained that the Scaloria branch was occupied from the end of the Pleistocene period until at least the early part of the Metals Age, as attested by the numerous fragments of a small reconstructable vase of the Laterza _facies_ found in the area close to the transect entrance. The types of occupation in this chronological range will have to be ascertained, in particular for the permanent and recurrent settlement forms with traces of domestic use of the space: occupation surfaces, multiple sequences of hearths and evidence for animal stalls. Resistivity survey was carried out both outside the cavern and in its interior. To the exterior, the results indicated the existence of a far more complex morphology than known to date that confirmed the close link with the Occhiopinto branches of the cave system. In the interior, this method was also seen to be efficient in providing information about the diverse typologies of the occupation deposits inside the cavern itself. It can now be confirmed that the cavern was blocked following a massive collapse covering about 40 m and about 7 m thick, made up of great stone masses that broke away from the cavern’s vault and earth that had penetrated from the exterior in a situation of greater morphological complexity than had been documented thus far.

In 2013, excavations were undertaken in the area in front of the ancient cavern entrance to investigate the nature of the phases preceding the collapse that occupies it. This raised a series of questions on the dynamics of the latter’s formation and on the development of the subterranean complex itself. The 2014 campaign was substantially conditioned by the fact that it was underway when the Gargano peninsula was hit by a flood. The work was thus limited to undertaking a detailed survey of the upper chamber, which shows a morphology that is more elongated towards the Occhiopinto cave. This suggests the existence between the two caverns of a wide and easy access later blocked by collapsed boulders (fig. 1). Contrary to what has been previously suggested, the concentration of ritual deposits was not limited to the lower north-eastern gallery, given that similar deposits were identified in the narrow unexplored passages in the opposite south-eastern direction. Three core samples were taken using a hydraulic core sampler, which obtained undisturbed samples of the substrata. Of the samples, numbers 1 and 2 showed no break in the rocky substrata. In these two zones there did not appear to be any subterranean cavities, at least as far as the levels reached. On the contrary, sample 3 was taken close to the edge of the known chambers by the Scaloria cavern. The result of one limited empty space confirmed the suggestion that the profile of the vault was thicker in this zone (8 m rather than 2-2.5 m at the entrance) at the edges of the known karstic complex in areas that are difficult to reach from the interior. These chambers could perhaps be seen on the geo-electric profiles made of the external field using a very close grid, as chambers and/or cuniculi linking the larger spaces that are beginning to appear following the emergence of the anomalies. Genoa-DISTAV and Tubingen Universities than undertook a new geo-electric survey of 15 parallel transects using a very dense grid (see following image) that produced a 3D model of the underground structures in order to further clarify the characteristics of the karstic complex. The preliminary geomorphological analyses of the territory surrounding the complex and in particular of the canyons (Scaloria-Pulsano) that cut into the alluvial fans of the Gargano foothills and the terrace on which the Scaloria cave opens, highlighted the substantial nature of the alluvial deposits. The summit portions of these deposits probably of Würmian (glacial) date are constituted by very large clasts and characterised by concentrated flow structures denoting the high energy and capacity of the torrent. The deep incision revealed the lower and earliest part of the fan, characterised by limestone breccias attributable to the Pleistocene era. In the distal part of the fan, to the rear of the Scaloria cave, the deposits became shallower and were constituted by smaller clasts often alternating with silty-sand layers, which directly overlay the limestone substratum. The upper layers showed clear signs of pedogenesis and presented horizons of carbonate (calcite) accumulations in the form of crusts and nodules, attesting the calcification processes associated with very arid climates.

The excavations carried out in 2013-2014 in the area in front of the ancient entrance to the cavern to investigate the nature and extent of the phases preceding the collapse that occupies it, raised a series of questions on the dynamics of the latter’s formation and development of the underground complex itself. As the 2014 excavations were badly affected by the flooding on the Gargano peninsula, in 2015 it was decided to continue with the previously established objectives with the aim of checking the suggested interpretation of the complex. Therefore, the trench inside the upper chamber was enlarged in order to check the relationship with the large fan of debris created by a landslide and to check the charcoal levels identified in 2013, which are thought to be extensive in the more “practicable” part of the cavern. In fact, this part presents a sub-level morphology, similar to a terrace (artificial?) coinciding with the point where the vault is highest (c. 2 m). A _sondage_ was opened transversely to the one opened in 2013, which exposed a complex deposit characterised by charcoally lenses alternating with layers of ash in which numerous remains of human bones were identified and excavated. The trench excavated in the 1970s/80s was reopened. In addition, exposing the bedrock in which there is a previously documented narrow cleft made it possible to check the dynamics that led to the partial closure of the cavern. Indeed, a profile of large blocks, with one very smoothed and eroded side was uncovered precisely along the south front of the rock bank, probably part of the ancient vault of the entrance. This confirmed the suggestion made in previous years, based on the observation of the internal stratigraphy, that the grotto was a large shelter that was easily entered. It was only later that this entrance became difficult to use due to the collapse of the vault, until it was finally blocked in the early medieval period. Among this year’s finds, there was a large green stone ring, certainly relating to an artefact from a burial.

The planned excavation was to take place outside the grotto, but this was prevented by bad weather. Therefore, exploration took place in the area immediately behind what now seems certainly to have been the ancient entrance, hidden below several successive collapses. The decision was made to only work in the interior where it was possible to carry on with some programmed interventions, although rainwater infiltration and excessive dripping meant the areas had to be carefully selected. Based on the results of the micro-morphological and palaeo-botanical analyses of the 2015 samples, which revealed a deposit of extraordinary anthracological wealth and diversity, all of the excavated soil was collected, and washed using a floatation machine with a 4/3/2 mm mesh, the stone residue then being sorted. The skeleton was weighed in order to evaluate the composition, granulometry and any variations within it. A larger excavation area (1.60 x 2.50 m) was opened by the entrance with the aim of reaching the lowest level, thus creating a continuous section of the deposit and a sufficient surface area for sampling. In a small part of the deposit, the pre-ceramic level was reached which produced flint flakes and an equid tooth. The excavation was halted across the entire area at an extensive stony surface, which presented burial cuts, datable to the beginning of the Eneolthic period, as suggested by the presence of a so-called club/cleaver head of decorated limestone and a small vase (largely reconstructable) already attributed to that horizon. The numerous human remains, including at least thirteen teeth, although not articulated, accompanied by ornamental elements, such as a pierced pendant, numerous beads, and two small pearls, support this hypothesis. Also in this area, several holes were identified, two of which presented concretionary borders, perhaps used to house containers made of ceramic or perishable materials. In one case, the upper part of the container probably jutted out over the surface in which the hole was made. This indicates that the raised border of the concretion certainly formed after the hole was created. This season’s excavations showed that the stratigraphic sequence crossed in this area post-dated the positioning of the large boulders close to the entrance, which seem to delimit specific areas and appeared to be _in_ _situ_, also due to their dimensions. The 2016 campaign also saw the continuation of the intervention towards the centre of the ‘camerone’, where numerous stratigraphic layers were uncovered, interpretable as the _in_ _situ_ residue of a disturbed burial. Several exceptional objects seem to belong to the grave, such as a chisel made from green stone of probable Alpine provenance, a hatchet and another tool, both made of flint using the Campignian technique. Lastly, the upper levels produced numerous finds including the wall of a painted terracotta vase with a vertical strap handle, attributable to the Scaloria Alta _facies_. At this stage of the research, the general impression is that this area of the cavern was probably a funerary context, considering the fact that the human bone does not seem to be duplicated and can therefore be attributed to a single individual, even though the burial context is badly disturbed, with part of the skeleton missing and the distribution of the other remains over a fairly wide area, as if the burial had been subject to erosion and, in some way dragging. The investigation in the Occhiopinto branch of the cavern, aimed at making a complete survey of the underground complex, concentrated on a series of large holes noted by the Archeo-Speleological Group of Manfredonia in the so-called Camera del Guano now partially cleared of bird excrement. Cut into the bedrock, the holes presented characteristics that were particularly interesting both for morphology and for their position. These man-made holes were sub-oval and average dimensions of between 35-50 cm in length and 25-35 cm wide, and arranged in more or less parallel rows. The rock bank in which they were cut appeared as a sloped surface with the holes arranged in correspondence with the areas with the greatest amount of dripping and in such a way that the overflow from the upper rows flowed into the holes immediately below, thus maximising water collection and limiting its dispersion.

This season’s campaign in the Grotta Scaloria concentrated on the recording of the large Quagliati chamber using a laser scanner, a detailed three-dimensional survey that is fundamental for the advance of this research with regard to a correct reading and interpretation of several tectonic phenomena, which occurred over the course of time inside the cave. In fact, the considerations that emerged from the study leading to the publication of the 1970s excavations made it necessary to clarify the dynamics of the collapses and therefore reconstruct the tectonic and mechanical sequences that led to the blocking of the original large entrance to this sizable chamber. Such a detailed survey should also make it possible to check whether the flat area at the foot of the landslide fan blocking the entrance constitutes an artificial terrace, which made it easier to use the space at the point in where the roof is highest and reaches c. 2 m. This technology facilitates the rapid and complete recording of three-dimensional objects at different scales and resolutions, even in areas that are difficult to reach such as those inside the cavern. The extremely precise measurements offer a level of information that cannot be achieved using traditional instruments. The realistic three-dimensional graphics that can be created using this type of recording make it possible to study the morphology of the blocks and formulate better-grounded proposals about the dynamics of the collapses occurring from prehistory to the early medieval period. This campaign required the participation of a team with the appropriate equipment together with a topographer-speleologist and the archaeologists who have been involved in the research in the Grotta Scaloria for many years. Therefore, it was decided to use this year’s funding to carry out the laser survey, prior to any other intervention. The lighting system set up for the survey constituted a great, and to date unique, opportunity to see the entire grotto well-lit and to consider various aspects of its topography and possibilities for future interventions. It was also possible to map the clandestine excavations prior to the cleaning of the sections exposed by the latter in order to take micro-morphological samples. This will provide information over a vast area without opening new excavations and recover important data. Indeed, some of the sections from the illegal digging present traces of the charcoal rich soils documented in other areas of the grotto. New interesting ideas for analyses seem to emerge from the geo-electric survey undertaken in 2014. The resistivity survey, undertaken both inside and outside the grotto, covered a much larger area than the entire Scaloria-Occhipinto Complex, with the aim of identifying the location and depth of the larger cavities over an area equal to c. 25 hectares. At the time, the team from Genova University and Tubingen University made a detailed geo-electric survey using a dense grid of 15 parallel transects, which made it possible to obtain a 3D model of the underground structures and therefore further clarify the characteristics of the karstic complex adjacent to the Grotta Scaloria. The electrodes were placed 2 m apart along the transects. The results produced by two bores also undertaken in 2014, which provided information about the stratigraphy and presence of underground cavities, were used to calibrate and validate the analyses. Work has begun on the data interpretation, which so far indicates that the site’s morphology is far more complex than previously known.

This season’s research in the Scaloria grotto concentrated on carrying out micro-morphological sampling of the exposed deposits and sections of the excavations that took place between 2013 and 2016. The sampling was carried out in two separate areas: transect 2 and a nearby area. Two samples were taken from the stratigraphic deposit in transect 2: 1. Tr. 2 Sample A, deposit above US 207 and 701 on the make-up of stones, datable to the late occupation of the cave, presumably in the Eneolithic period. The sampling aims to complete the deposit’s occupation sequence. The sample was taken at the north-western edge of this sector of the excavation (figs. 1 and 2). 2. Tr.2 Sample B, deposit underneath boulder G between US 208 and 211; the sampling aimed to reconstruct the transition between the dark horizon underlying the levels with make-ups for housing large vases and the redder layer deposited on the substratum (figs. 2 and 3). During cleaning of the section for sampling, the head of a human femur appeared, situated at 0.57 cm from point 0 left _in_ _situ_. In the same transect, a sample was taken of the terracotta cordon bordering one of the holes identified in 2016. The other area sampled was close to transect 2, adjacent to the burials in trench 10. This was a level of soils characterised by an abundant presence of human skeletal remains, with fragmentary bones. The latter were investigated and sampled in order to compare them with the sediments from different zones in the cave with regard to the concretionary crystals. These samples were taken in order to understand whether the bones deposited in trench 10 underwent transitions or movements in successive depositions in other parts of the cave.