This site was identified in the late 1970s to the north of the town. It has been equipped to meet the highest standards of stratigraphic excavation and make use of the most up to date interdisciplinary research methods in order to trace a complete picture of the territory's evolution and the earliest settlement. In the early Paleolithic period, around 700,000 years ago, a small group of hunters, chose a piece of land close to a water course and set up camp there on several occasions. Evidence for hunting has been found within the stratigraphy. This includes the bones of various types of game, some of which had been deliberately smashed, flint and limestone tools and a large number of stone blocks layed down as if to "pave" one of the excavated surfaces. The enlargement of the excavation in recent years has revealed further "archaeo-surfaces": in particular surface 3a which produced numerous finds and intact animal bones, and surface 3S10, whose relationship to the latter is still being studied. Positions and breaks in the stratigraphic sequences make it easier to interpret the sedimentary position of the layers and the formation of the "archeo-surfaces". An outcrop of travertine deposits has been identified, situated between marshes and small lakes. These "islands" provided places of refuge for the paleolithic hunters. The excavations have also fixed the position of, recovered and classified a vast quantity of archaeological and paleontological material. (Cristiana Terzani)

The excavation campaigns undertaken on the paleolithic site of La Pineta, Isernia, was a collaboration between the Archaeological Superintendency of Molise, the University of Ferrara and the European Centre for Prehistoric Research at Isernia who for many years have been active in various fields of research regarding this site. Many Italian and foreign researchers and undergraduate students have taken part in the excavations making a valid contribution to the diverse research activities. The aim has been to extend the area situated inside the excavation pavilion, which was the natural continuation of previous years excavations. The stratigraphy showed a sequence of fluvial, silt, clay and gravel deposits within which were the ancient surfaces respectively identified as 3c, 3a and 3S10 of sector I and 3a of sector II. All were characterised by heavy concentrations of paleontological remains and of lithic industry, which recent dating has placed between 700.000 e 600.000 years BP. The excavation involved an area of circa 20 m2 adjacent to ancient surface 3a, where the levels overlying the surfaces, denominated respectively 3colluvium and 3S6-9, were removed. Throughout the excavation produced abundant archaeological material. In fact numerous bone finds were recovered including single teeth, fragments of mandible, vertebra, humerus, phalanges, mainly of bison, as well as fragments of diaphises, including a large fragment of diaphisis attributable to an elephant, an elephant tusk and a complete and well preserved megaceros antler. The paleontological study of the materials identified new faunal species which add to the spectrum of fauna present at Isernia in a specific period of the middle Pleistocene. These were single fragments attributable to leopard ( _Panthera pardus_ ), the hyena ( _Hyaena_ cfr. _Hyaena brunnea_ ), the beaver ( _Castor fiber_ ) and macaque ( _Macaca sylvanus_ ). As regards the lithic industry, flint elements were predominant over limestone and travertine. Among the flint finds the most common type was the flake followed by cores and debris. The most common limestone element were unmodified cobbles, followed by choppers and flakes. Small to medium blocks were the commonest travertine elements.

The 2010 campaign took place between 5-30 July with the participation of numerous students, both Italian and foreign. The excavation area situated inside the excavation pavilion was extended as a natural follow-on to the exploration undertaken in previous years. The following activities were carried out: - excavation and exposure of the finds using scalpels, punches, trowels and chisels; - recording of each find using finds sheets filled out for each quadrant and US. This included the recording of the inclination and alignment of each find using a compass, taking of co-ordinates with a total station (modello GTS-605) and general photography of the quadrant prior to planning using a specific software; - removal of the material and conservation in situ; - drawing of the archaeological section and compilation of Schede US for the Ufficio del Catalogo Generale; - washing and marking of flint and limestone finds; - conservation of the paleontological material. _The excavation_ The area investigated covered about 9 m2 adjacent to archeo-surface 3a, where excavation of previously opened quadrants continued . New quadrants were opened in order to proceed with the exposure of archeo-surface 3a. Two main stratigraphic levels were identified , planned and removed. These were denominated 3colluvio and 3 S6-9. _The finds_ The archaeological material present in all levels and quadrants of the excavation was abundant. In fact, numerous bone remains were collected including single teeth, fragments of mandible, vertebra, humerus and falanges, mainly from bison and one hippopotamus tooth. For the lithic industry there was a clear predominance of flint elements over those in limestone and travertine. The commonest typology among the flint artefacts was the flake, followed by nucleuses and debris. Of the limestone finds the most common were unmodified cobbles followed by chipped cobbles of the “chopper” type and flakes.

This year’s excavations examined layer 3coll in quadrants 138, 157, 167, 168, 169. The material from 3a in quadrants 167 and 168 was removed in order to reach the underlying layers (3b and then 3c). These two quadrants showed the transition towards the stratigraphic sequence already explored in 1992. In fact, the paleo-surface 3a was partially covered by the greenish sandy deposit rich in pyroclastic crystals, known in published literature as 3G. The underlying layer of greenish grey sterile silt (3b) was removed. It was about 70 cm thick and had a larger clay component towards the bottom. Layer 3c below had a very sandy consistency with abundant iron manganese concretions and a dark variegated red colour. Stone and bone finds were recovered including the vertebra of a herbivore. Surface 3c was not uniform as it was conditioned by the irregularity of the travertine below. All finds were mapped using orthophotography and a total station. Information relating to their size, type and stratigraphic position was inserted into the site’s general data base. The excavated soil was washed and sieved with a 1mm mesh in order to recover the smallest bone fragments, in particular micro-vertebrates (amphibians, birds and rodents). A check was made on the material excavated in previous years. Work started on the conservation of the large bone fragments. The identification of the finds situated on paleo-surface 3a was also checked. This revision led to the identification of two important fragments of megaloceros that were removed for study. The operation to remove them took several people almost two weeks. Work also began on the conservation of the paleontological finds. This was a simple process for the smaller fragments, but long and complex for the large finds, in particular vertebrae, cranium fragments, antlers, mandibles and ribs.

The site of Isernia La Pineta has made a notable contribution to knowledge of human occupation in the lower Paleolithic period in Europe. The settlement was discovered in 1978 and since then has been the object of systematic investigations. The excavations undertaken by Ferrara University in collaboration with the _Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali_, have exposed four distinct archaeo-surfaces rich in prehistoric material. Paleo-surface 3a, several hundred square metres of which has been explored, is of particular importance, and lies inside the pavilion inaugurated in 1999. The archaeological levels are dated to just over 650, 000 years ago, a chronology confirmed by several physical and chemical dating methods. A large quantity of paleontological finds was recovered from surfaces 3ca and 3a. A small part of these is represented by freshwater fish vertebra, the skeletal remains of anurous amphibians (frogs and/or toads), fragments of shells from marsh turtles (_Emys orbicularis_), and bones from birds such as the wild duck (_Anas platyrhynchos_), the grebe (_Tachybaptus ruficollis_), and a passeriform. These represent the skeletal remains of the animals living in the river waters that filled the lake or on the latter’s banks and have accumulated here due to transportation or fluvio-lacustrine sedimentation. The presence of examples of almost all the skeletal parts of the elephant (_Palaeoloxodon antiquus_), including the tusks, indicates that this proboscidean was frequently hunted. Even greater numbers of rhinoceros (_Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis_) remains were present, numbers that have led to a revision of the genus and of the European Pleistocenic species. The artiodactyls were represented by various families: the hippopotamidae and suidae were attested by a few dental remains, attributed to the species _Hippopotamus cf. antiquus_ and _Sus scrofa_. The large quantity of cervid remains represented four species: megaceros (_Megaceroides solilhacus_), deer (_Cervus elaphus cf. acoronatus_), fallow deer (_Dama dama cf. clactoniana_), and roe deer (_Capreolus sp._). _Megaceroides solilhacus_ is not abundant among the fauna of the early middle Pleistocene period; the numerous antlers found at Isernia La Pineta have made the site the reference deposit for this species. The predominant animal on the site is the bison (_Bison schoetensacki_), the most hunted animal, attested by numerous bony corunal processes from the horns, together with loose teeth and the remains of bones from the girdles and limbs, especially the autopodials (bones in the feet). Crania are also numerous, smashed at the base and missing the splanchnocranium (facial bones). Like the rhinoceros, the great abundance of bison skeletal remains has led to the revision of the genus and the differentiation of the species of large bovines of the European middle-upper Pleistocene era. Another bovine, the tahr (_Hemitragus cf. bonali_) that was much smaller than the bison, was attested by only three teeth. A leporid was also attested by a few dental remains attributed to a large rabbit (_cf. Oryctolagus_). The study of the lithic industry has identified the use of two different lithotypes, flint and limestone. It is probable that a significant functional and behavioral dichotomy, such as to justify the much wider exploitation of flint compared to limestone, was due to a difference in the availability of these two materials.

This season excavations continued inside the pavilion covering the archaeological area at Isernia La Pineta. In particular, work was undertaken in quadrants 176, 177, 178, 179 of sector I-1, where digging had previously halted at layer 3s 6-9. The exploration of the underlying colluvium, US 3,, a level made up of a sandy, slightly concretionary matrix, containing lithic, palaeontological, and pyroclastic materials, confirmed it to be a colluvial flow. The excavations also exposed US 3s10, which overlay 3a and some parts of underlying 3b. This was a sandy-silt matrix that debris flow had carried to its position and therefore it cannot be considered to be in primary deposition. However, the physical state of the materials and their spatial concentration suggested that they had not travelled far, although the original depositional relationships between the finds were disturbed. This archaeo-surface, first identified in 1993 during the pavilion’s construction, presents a very large number of lithic and palaeontological finds and in the future could contribute further knowledge regarding the formation of the archaeo-surfaces of Isernia La Pineta, as well as their content and spatial organisation. Important paleontological remains have been recovered that add to knowledge of the Pleistocenic fauna in this area. These were associated with a large number of unidentifiable bone fragments as well as limestone and flint lithics. In the investigated area, the number of limestone implements present is larger than the average registered in other sectors. The flint finds included small flakes and cores. The collected material was mapped in GIS, conserved, and catalogued.

Between the 7th and 26th July 2014 excavations were carried out on the Palaeolithic site of La Pineta at Isernia by Ferrara University, directed by Prof. Carlo Peretto. The excavations began with a major discovery, a child’s incisor. Based on the dating of the level (c. 600,000 years old) the tooth can probably be attributed to _Homo_ _heidelbergensis_. It is the oldest human remain found in Italy to date. The discovery, made by wet sieving the sediment, is of particular importance because it sheds light on a period for which human remains are rare in Europe. Excavations continued in the same area as last year, quadrant 1 of sector I, which includes quadrants 166-169-176-177-178-179. The stratigraphic units 3s6-9 and 3 (colluvium), containing lithic and faunal remains, were removed down to US 3b that was sterile apart from a few small fragments of bone and flint that were in contact with the overlying US 3 colluvium. The removal of the sterile US 3b in quadrants 169, 178, and 179 exposed the archaeo-surface 3c, excavated between 1980 and 1993 over an area of 52 m2. The lithic and palaeontological finds, fewer than those from archaeo-surface 3a, lay within a sandy matrix a few centimetres deep. As well as the usual methods of excavation, analysis, cataloguing, and finds conservation, new technologies were applies to the survey and recording of the finds during the excavation phase and for the 3D imaging of the archaeo-surfaces. With regard to the first aspect, a new method of documentation was experimented that does away with paper records, all information relating to a find being put directly on a tablet. The data is then immediately available online on a dedicated web site. The use of a micro-drone was experimented for the photogrammetric recording of the palaeo-surfaces. The 3D recording was carried out by “ Drone Division” of the TekneHub Laboratory At Ferrara University in collaboration with GREAL (Geographic Reseach and Application Laboratory) at Rome European University. The 3D recording of archaeo-surface 3a and the area being excavated at present will be useful for teaching and scientific purposes. In fact, the model will be used for the virtual navigation of the excavation surface and will provide important data relating to the spatial distribution of the finds.

This season’s excavations by Ferrara University at the Palaeolithic site of La Pineta (Isernia) investigated an area (quadrants 156-157-158-159-166-176) in quadrant 1 of sector I. Context 3 was removed (fluvial-lacustrine deposits with sands and fine gravels): from top to bottom, 3s 1-5, 3s 6-9, 3 colluvium, 3s 10 and 3b, in order to reach and expose surface 3c. This surface, excavated over an area of 52 m2 between 1980 and 1993, constitutes the first evidence for human occupation at Isernia La Pineta. It is characterised by the presence of paleontological remains and lithics within a sandy matrix a few centimetres thick, which lay immediately above the travertine layer. The excavation of these layers produced lithic finds, mainly small flint flakes, and paleontological materials, indeterminate fragments of various sizes but also significant remains of large herbivores, including bison vertebra and horns. These materials were cleaned, consolidated, and restored. Floatation and sieving of the sediment recovered the remains of micro-fauna (mainly rodent teeth and fish vertebra), malacofauna, small fragments of macro-fauna, small flakes of flint and waste elements and sanidine crystals, which are useful for radiometric dating. The latest results were presented during a workshop at the end of the season. Particular emphasis was given to the discovery of a human tooth found in 2014 in level 3 coll. on the site, which based on the most recent radiometric dating can be attributed to c. 580,000 years ago and at present constitutes the earliest evidence of human presence in Italy. The find, the incisor of a child of 5- 7 years of age, attributed to _Homo_ _sp._, could probably be attributed to _Homo_ _heidelbergensis_, who had populated continental Europe in this period.

During this season’s excavations and research undertaken by the University of Ferrara on the Palaeolithic site of Isernia La Pineta exploration was extended in quadrants 156-159, 166-169 and 174-179 of quadrant 1, in sector I, already partially excavated in 2015. The intervention removed context 3 formed by fluvial-lacustrine deposits with sands and fine gravel (from top to bottom the layers involved were 3s1-5, 3s6-9, 3colluvium, 3s10 and 3b), with the aim of exposing the palaeo-surface 3c, almost in direct contact with the underlying travertine. Layer 3c, already investigated from the 1980s onwards, represents the first evidence of human occupation at the site of Isernia La Pineta following the reduction of the wet areas. Smaller concentrations of material were found compared with the later archeo-surfaces, these included palaeontological remains, and lithics embedded in a rubified sandy matrix a few centimeters thick. The lithic industry was characterised by the presence of small flint flakes that did not present traces of post-depositional transport. Unidentifiable bone fragments of various sizes, but also some remains of large herbivores, including elephant vertebrae and bison horns were also found. The osteological materials were cleaned and consolidated. At the end of the excavation, surface 3c was exposed in all quadrants of the research area, except for quadrants 158 and 174-175. The excavations were planned using a total station and integrated system for data acquisition (registration of finds coordinates, orthophotographs, GIS analyses etc.). The sieving of the sediment produced micro-faunal remains (mainly rodent teeth and fish bones), malaco-fauna, small fragments of macro-fauna, small flakes of flint and sanadine crystals (particularly useful for radiometric dating) and waste products from the working of these materials.

Le attività di esplorazione del sito preistorico di Isernia La Pineta, dal 2 al 29 luglio 2017, sono state condotte dall'Università degli Studi di Ferrara, sotto la direzione scientifica del prof. Carlo Peretto, su concessione del Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo (Prot. N. DG-ABAP 2846 Class. 34.31.07/25.1 Rinnovo per gli anni 2016-2018), in collaborazione con la Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio del Molise. L’attività di scavo ha proseguito il lavoro dell’anno precedente per mettere in evidenza una parte della superficie archeologica denominata 3c, posta quasi a diretto contatto col travertino sottostante. L’indagine si è concentrata nei qq. 153-154-155-158-159-164-165-174-175 del quadrante 1 del I settore di scavo e ha visto l’asportazione dei depositi fluvio-lacustri costituiti da sabbie e ghiaie fini (dall’alto in basso i livelli interessati sono 3s1-5, 3s6-9, 3colluvio, 3s10 e 3b). I livelli oggetto di scavo hanno restituito reperti litici, perlopiù schegge in selce di piccole dimensioni, e paleontologici, frammenti indeterminabili di dimensioni varie ma anche significativi resti di grandi erbivori. Il rilievo planimetrico e dei reperti è stato facilitato dall’utilizzo di un sistema informatizzato: il ricercatore utilizza un tablet o uno smartphone incorporante l'applicazione di Google Doc come terminale per l'immissione dei dati, i quali sono utilizzabili in tempo reale e visualizzabili sulla pagina web dedicata Si è provveduto inoltre al restauro sistematico dei reperti paleontologici e al lavaggio e al vaglio del sedimento che ha consentito il recupero di resti di microfauna (perlopiù denti di roditori e vertebre di pesci). I lavori di scavo, documentazione e laboratorio (rilievo planimetrico e fotogrammetrico delle archeosuperfici, coordinamento dei reperti tramite l'uso della stazione totale, descrizione delle unità stratigrafiche, catalogazione e siglatura dei materiali rinvenuti, informatizzazione dei dati di scavo, lavaggio e vaglio del sedimento, restauro dei reperti rinvenuti, ecc.), sono stati accompagnati da laboratori aperti al pubblico e da escursioni didattiche sul territorio molisano. In particolare in tutti i giovedì del mese si sono svolti laboratori dal titolo “Vietato non toccare” per avvicinare il grande pubblico all’attività di ricerca. Gli studiosi e i ricercatori, provenienti da numerose istituzioni scientifiche italiane e straniere, sono stati ospitati dall’Amministrazione Provinciale di Isernia nella struttura del Centro Europeo di Ricerche Preistoriche.

Excavations continued the previous year’s work to uncover the archaeological surface 3c, in direct contact with the underlying travertine. The investigation concentrated on squares 153-154-155-158-159-164-165-174-175 of quadrant 1 in Sector I. Fluvial-lacustrine layers formed by fine sands and gravels were removed (from top to bottom the layers were 3s1-5, 3s6-9, 3colluvium, 3s10 and 3b). The excavated levels contained lithic finds, mainly small flint flakes, and palaeontological finds, indeterminate fragments of various sizes but also large significant remains from large herbivores. The planning and recording of finds was facilitated by the use of a computerised system: the researcher used a tablet or smartphone incorporating Google Doc as a terminal for data input. the data is useable immediately and visible on the web page. The palaeontological finds were conserved and the sediment washed and sieved to recover the micro-faunal remains (mainly rodent teeth and fish scales).