The excavations undertaken in 2006 concentrated on the external area, the so-called Riparo, and involved 3 zones. Area A may be considered a combustion zone, set within a depression. This was active in several phases (at least three) as attested by the alternation of layers of charcoal and ash; regarding its chronology it is only possible to indicate an age of >130 thousand years ago. Area B was characterised by the absence of stone working and the presence of bones belonging to ungulates, especially Bos primigenius, Dama dama, Cervus Elaphus and a jaw bone of Sus scrofa, which, together with the fallow deer confirms the temperate nature of the climate in this area. In area C several combustion zones were uncovered, similar to that found in area A.

The grotta Pagliacci is internationally famed for the stratigraphy of the atrium which covers the entire Upper Paleolithic (from circa 35,000 to 11,000 years ago), for the presence of the only Paleolithic rock art known to date in Italy and for the external stratigraphy attesting occupation in the Lower to Middle Paleolithic between circa 250,000 to 125,000 years ago. Due to the instability of the cliff side, which requires further consolidation not only to safeguard the researchers but also the deposit itself, excavations were limited to checking, survey, cleaning of the archaeological area and surrounding zones. Methods for resolving the problems on the site are at present being studied and it is hoped to resolve the situation in the spring of 2010. A detailed photographic survey was made of the entire cave by the Unicity company of Roma. This was undertaken as part of a project for the creation of a “virtual” visit to the cave, as the latter is not open for reasons both of public safety and for the safety of the wall paintings themselves. On the basis of experiences in France and Spain it has also been seen that in order to safeguard and preserve the wall paintings, it is inadvisable to open the site to large numbers of people. Technicians from the Opificio delle Pietre Dure di Firenze continued their research regarding appropriate monitoring equipment for the analysis of the micro-climate in the hall of the paintings. Due to the inherent difficulties caused by the particular humidity in the cave and the lack of electricity on the site, all the equipment tried to date has proved to be not completely reliable. Finally, the CNR/INOA from Lecce and Pisa continued with the analysis of the paint colours which will be monitored over time in order to keep a check any occurring alterations. A further check is foreseen for Spring 2010. At the same time the same technicians made a survey of the two walls with the prehistoric paintings in order to create a 3D model which will be used not only to “freeze” the situation at that moment, but also, and above all, to undertake a highly detailed analysis of the traces of colour present, with the aim of attempting to detect other paintings that may have faded over time.

In 2010 the work at Grotta Pagliacci was limited to the survey, cleaning and sampling of the stratigraphic sequence and of the trench inside the grotto. Furthermore, it was necessary to temporarily remove the equipment for monitoring the micro-climate in the chamber with the paintings, as it was damaged by the humidity: unfortunately the lack of electricity on site is causing substantial problems in this regard. Research should continue outside, on the site of the Lower/Middle Paleolithic deposit known, to date, only from the rectification undertaken by Prof. Palma di Cesnola in the 1970s following an illegal excavation. Unfortunately, the stability of the back and side walls, which loom over the area of the deposit which is still preserved, requires checking. This appraisal, with consequent expense, is also necessary because at the top of the back wall there is a boulder, still in position, on which there are incisions dating to the evolved Epigravettian period. The project for securing the site is at present in the study phase: it is hoped to intervene before the middle of 2011 so that excavations can recommence in the autumn. In the meantime Unicity Spa was commissioned by the Gargano National Park to make a documentary “Indagine su Grotta Paglicci”. This was filmed at Siena (in the university and l’Accademia dei Fisiocritici) and concentrated on the diverse methodological approaches and the recent results obtained from the study of the cave. This has become a multi-disciplinary and international research project involving Bradford and Cambridge universities and the Max Planck Institute. Research continued in the laboratory, making use of innovative methodological approaches. Prof. Palma di Cesnola is completing the study of the early (layers 17-13) and evolved (layers 12-8) Epigravettian periods, study of the bone-working industry is in its final phase, archaeo-zoological and taphonomical analyses are being undertaken on the Middle Glacial and Late Glacial levels in the grotto. The analyses on a pestle found in the early Gravettian levels (23a) revealed the presence of starches from various species, whose identification is in progress. This represents an important link (as it is the earliest known to date) in the reconstruction of the chain of exploitation/transformation of plant products for food use by the Paleolithic populations.