The excavation of the middle Palaeolithic deposit of the Riparo l’Oscurusciuto in the ravine at Ginosa (Taranto) continued in October 2014.
During this campaign, the excavation of the settlement occupation surface (US 15) began. This surface was sealed by a layer of tephra (US 14) attributed to the green tufa from the eruption of Monte Epomeo on Ischia (55ky BP). The area was dug in 25 cm2 squares to a depth of 2/3 cm over an area of c. 12m2. The aurochs continued to be predominant among the bone remains: a first analysis estimates a minimum of five individuals of different ages. The analysis of the lithic industry requires further study in the laboratory in order to identify whether there are variations in the management of the raw materials and the running of the production line within a predominantly unipolar Levallois production common in all levels excavated to date.

In this phase of the work traces of a small hearth emerged, probably created in a small pit, with ashes at the summit. The structure was situated inside structure “A”, identified during the 2012 campaign, and formed by a semicircle of stones with a radius of c. 2 m, abutting the north wall of the shelter.
More interesting evidence relating to structure “B”, identified in 2013, came to light in this first examination of the surface. This structure is constituted by a row of three groups of stones that seem to enclose the space in the north-west corner of the shelter, characterised by the scarce presence of occupation evidence. Within one of these groups of stones, two of which in a vertical position, there was a small pit 25 cm wide and 10 cm deep (the excavation of what was probably a second fill may redefine the depth). In a hypothetical reconstruction of the structure, the pit is interpreted as housing for one of the timber elements abutting the shelter wall.

All of the stones visible on the surface, some of which probably part of structures and all kept in situ, were measured and their lithology analysed. The stones were mainly calcarenite blocks with a few smaller limestone elements. The latter were only present within the groups that delimit the structures.
The analysis of the area will be completed following the excavation of the remaining 6 m2 during the next season. The present study of the spatial distribution of the materials on the occupation surface will provide information about the different uses made of the spaces.