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.